Siemens has announced that its Magnetom Aera 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner was recently installed at Hutchinson Health‘s radiology department in Hutchinson, Minn. The system offers several MRI advantages for patients, including a larger, more powerful magnet, and higher quality, higher resolution images for interpretation to give the facility’s doctors more diagnostic confidence, Siemens says.

The Magnetom Aera 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner has an open bore design intended to reduce the closed-in, claustrophobic feeling of traditional MRIs, with a shorter length that allows patients to keep their heads outside of the system for many exams. The open shape of the machine allows for scanning of patients of up to 550 pounds, according to the company.

In addition to being more comfortable, the MRI experience is also up to 70% quieter, notes Siemens, and scanning is more efficient, making exams faster and less stressful. The scanner’s software allows the MRI technician to reduce image error caused by breathing, motion, or metal in the patient’s body. According to Siemens, a key feature of the software is improved multi-phase imaging, enabling providers to obtain more images in a shorter period of time.

For more information about the Magnetom Aera 1.5T, visit the Siemens website.