ASTRI and Time Medical Inc. (TiMed) announced the breakthrough collaboration on the most advance technology and innovative product in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on 17 September, 2008. The live demonstration illustrated its characteristics of low cost, high quality and small size. ASTRI and TiMed R&D team is now applying the technology in athletes' body check so as to enhance their overall training efficiency.

Prof. Edward Yang, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI stated, "Nowadays, clinical industry commonly makes use of MRI Technology. Compared with other technology such as Ultrasound, MRI is still too expensive. Therefore, ASTRI and TiMed jointly developed a new MRI system, which not only can reduce the production cost of the device, but also achieve a high quality imaging effect."

Dr. Q. Y. Ma, Chief Executive Officer of TiMed continued, "TiMed engages in the world's leading research, development and production of MRI, which is the first Hi-tech corporate in China with the shareholders from famous university of the United States. The research team has taught in the world's top universities such as Harvard Medical School and Columbia University, for many years. They has generated 5 patents, published more than 50 papers in MRI field."

Dr. CH Leong, GBS, J.P., former Chairman of Hong Kong Hospital Authority delivered a speech on the future of Hong Kong biomedical industry at the press briefing. He stated, "The breakthrough of MRI technology will become the milestone of biomedical field. This will enhance the popularity of MRI and more citizens will share the benefit in future."

Breakthrough of MRI Technology & device - Low cost, high quality, small size

"ASTRI TiMed MRI Technology" is medical magnetic resonance imaging technology, which can greatly increase the imaging quality of medical diagnosis by a significant 300% - 500%. The research team integrated the traditional MRI technology with "High Temperature Superconductor Coil" and achieves low production cost, high image quality and small size of device.

The professional team members come from top overseas research institute such as Harvard University & Columbia University of the US and University of Hong Kong. They are particularly focus in technology of Superconductor Coil with international standard. The technology enhances the image quality of the low field MRI system into high field ones.

By utilizing the High Temperature Superconductor Coil into the MRI device, the image quality of medical diagnosis is greatly improved by a significant 300%-500%, which achieves the standard of high field MRI system. This achievement not only solves the monopolized products manufactured by multi-national firm, it also lowers the medical diagnosis cost at the early stage of illness, such as cancer.

The low field MRI system and the device are suitable for the clinics and hospitals with large flow of patients. The key characteristics of this technology are quick scanning, small in size, saving storage space and low electricity consumption.

High Market Potential of MRI Research

MRI system development is a multiple research topic and has won the Medical Nobel Prize in 2003. The MRI system is an important research topic in technology arena. This hi-tech know-how has been applied in medical and biomedical field.

The field strength for major clinical MRI systems can be divided into two categories, high field and low field. The former one has progressed from 1.5 Telsa (T) to 3T, with the cost of 1.5 million to 3 million of US dollars. Others has progressed from 0.2T to 0.5T with 5 million with the cost of 0.5 million.

The cost of low field MRI device is economical which is more suitable for the developing countries like China and India. Therefore, it has been a hot topic for R&D professionals in improving the low field MRI technology. The new device which developed by ASTRI and TiMed integrates the High Temperature Superconductor Coil into MRI system. Its quality is as good as high field MRI system and the cost is only one-third comparing to high field MRI system.

The coverage of MRI device in US and Japan attains above 30 per million, but only 1 per million people in China. The supply of large MRI device in China depends on import. The cost is expensive and the popularity is low. The latest local developed medical device can solve the monopoly problem of overseas' device. In addition, it will reduce the medical fee of the public and they are able to go through medical diagnosis at early stage of illness.

Cancer Prevention by MRI Medical Diagnosis

The research report of the 3rd national research on death in April 2008 reviewed that the death rate of cancer increased 80% for the past 30 years in China. There was a person died from cancer in every 4-5 cases of death. Medical professionals always believe in prevention. The MRI technology is one of the methods in medical prevention. In the past, the high cost of MRI device stop the patient to have medical check-up at early stage of illness.

Nowadays, only about 2,000 hospitals in the main cities of China have the MRI system device. Whereas, over 20,000 hospitals in the main provinces of China do not have MRI system device. Million ratio of MRI system in US and Japan is 30 times comparing to China. The death rate of cancer in these countries is decreasing. In contrary, the death rate in China raises rapidly.

China Medical Field Applied MRI system for Athletes

The research team is now co-operating with Shanghai Ruijin Hospital and the medical practitioners in athletics. They can make us of MRI system in diagnosis of athletes' strength test, injury and biology. This will strengthen the standard of training and uplift athletes' result.

Apart from low field MRI, the research team will also develop high field MRI system. They have already collaborated with famous academia and laboratories in China, like Academy of Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, East China Normal University, etc. Along with the MRI technology development, the general public will enjoy a better medical diagnosis service and prevent from illness in future.

Источник