MRI: A Brief History

MRI first emerged from the laboratory over twenty years ago. At first, field strengths (the power of the magnetic field generated, measured in Tesla units) were on the order of 0.5 Tesla. Nineteen years ago, with the backing of twenty-nine other doctors, WESTIMAGE neurosurgeon Set Shahbabian was instrumental in bringing the first MRI scanner to the West Side of Cincinnati- a 0.5 Tesla unit.

At the time, it was a diagnostic miracle, but field strengths quickly improved to 1.0 and 1.5 Tesla. Today, 3.0 Tesla units are becoming available for everyday clinical use. Since image clarity is proportional to field strength, with the latest advances in MRI technology, the medical community will be able to make diagnoses that are more and more accurate and, equally significant, able to detect patient problems earlier and earlier.

Into the Present...

In July 2003, Dr. Shahbabian brought the latest and most advanced diagnostic miracle to Cincinnati once again, GE's 8-channel, twin-speed MRI scanner, the highest, most advanced 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner in the world. He asked GE to keep him informed on their next miraculous piece of equipment, a 16-quad-channel 3.0 Tesla twin-speed dual-gradient unit with Excite High Definition Technology, a complement to the 1.5 Tesla. In two years, GE would have the two finest, most powerful, clearest, most accurate scanners in the world. And today, both scanners are right here at Westimage.

We at WESTIMAGE believe we have the best MRI scanners in the world. However, to make the best diagnosis, you must have the best radiologists reading these images. That's why at WESTIMAGE, we have acquired the services of the top radiologists, and only those who are board-certified with national recognition and honors.

We want to assure you the highest level of patient care available. At WESTIMAGE, MR imaging capabilities are only limited by your imagination!