Devices Radiology Oncology

 News Release - January 12, 2006

Aurora Breast MRI Comes to Atlanta

Breast Care Specialists, L.L.C. of Atlanta Offers Aurora Breast MRI to the Women of Atlanta

ATLANTA– January 12, 2006 (HSMN NewsFeed)- Women in the Atlanta area now have access to a more advanced tool to detect and diagnose breast cancer. Breast Care Specialists, L.L.C. of Atlanta now offers appropriate patients an examination with the Aurora® 1.5T Dedicated Breast MRI System with Bilateral RODEO® (Rotating Delivery of Excitation Off-Resonance).

“We have approximately 25,000 patient visits to our facility each year. Most of these women are either high risk for breast cancer or have had recent abnormal imaging or have current symptoms of breast disease. Adding the Aurora system with bilateral RODEO to our diagnostic imaging allows us to better serve these patients in the detection of breast cancer and to properly evaluate the extent of cancer,” said Christine Murphy, M.D., radiologist at Breast Care Specialists in Atlanta and herself a breast cancer survivor.

“Our Aurora system has only been in place for six months, yet we have already seen a tremendous impact in improving our assessment of extent of disease prior to definitive surgery. We are also finding unsuspected cancers in our high-risk population. The Aurora system, with its truly integrated and user-friendly workstation and biopsy functionality, has consistently given us high-quality images. We are now able to better define extent of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) and other forms of breast cancer, such as lobular carcinoma, which are often difficult to find using other imaging modalities. The addition of MRI to our practice allows us to provide more comprehensive treatment and follow-up to our patients.”

In deciding to dedicate the company to the fight against breast cancer, Aurora Imaging Technology, Inc. has created the first and only FDA cleared MRI system designed specifically for breast imaging. “Focusing solely on breast imaging, Aurora makes many design decisions to maximize clinical productivity and ease of use,” said President and CEO Olivia Cheng. Centers without the Aurora system provide breast MRI on traditional whole body scanners that require accessory products from a variety of manufacturers that are poorly interfaced and often difficult to use. “Breast radiologists now have a truly integrated breast MRI solution, “ added Cheng.

The Aurora System is designed to be located within the breast care center where it is readily available to specialized physicians and their patients. As a diagnostic imaging tool, the Aurora Dedicated Breast MRI System with bilateral RODEO is ideal for a wide range of indications in breast disease management including, but not limited to:

• Detection of cancer in higher risk women, especially those with dense breast tissue or in whom mammography is technically limited due to anatomic factors, such as surgical alteration or implants.
  
  
• Determining the extent of cancer for better treatment planning.
  
  
• Evaluation of patients with positive surgical marginal for residual cancer.
  
  
• Monitoring cancer response in patients being given Neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
  
  
• Evaluation of breast implant integrity (The Aurora, with RODEO technology which suppresses fat and normal ductal tissue, combines easily with silicone-suppression sequences, allowing both implant integrity assessment and cancer detection in both breasts in a single MRI examination).

About Breast Care Specialists, L.L.C.

Breast Care Specialists, L.L.C. is a private practice dedicated to the diagnostic work-up and treatment of breast cancer and other breast disorders. The group is composed of five Board-certified physicians (three surgeons and two radiologists) and provides comprehensive multispecialty care, including thorough review of all relevant outside firms and records, physical examination, Radiologic interpretation of mammogram and/or ultrasound and minimally invasive image-guided biopsy procedures, when needed. Most of these services can be performed in one visit. When cancer is detected, the mission is to provide compassionate and seamless continuity of care from diagnosis through initial treatment needs and then follow-up monitoring and support.

About Aurora Imaging Technology, Inc.

Aurora Imaging Technology, Inc. (www.auroramri.com) is a private company based in North Andover, Massachusetts. Aurora is the developer and manufacturer of the Aurora® 1.5T Dedicated Breast MRI System with Bilateral RODEO®, the first and only FDA cleared MRI system designed specifically for breast imaging.

The Aurora system provides the complete breast MRI solution including a specialized physician workstation (rapid interpretation review capability using multiplanar reformations, MIP, 3-plane motion corrected subtraction, dynamic analysis tools and volume calculation) and integrated biopsy/interventional capability. Aurora Imaging Technology, Inc. partners with the nation's finest breast care centers to provide the ultimate in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Source: Aurora Imaging Technology

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