Devices Radiology

 News Release - April 4, 2006

Siemens and IMRIS Partner to Offer Ceiling-Mounted MRI

Movable iMotion System Serves Both Operating Rooms and Diagnostic Imaging Departments, Enables Significantly Improved Return on Investment

MALVERN, Pa. & WINNIPEG, Manitoba--(HSMN NewsFeed)--April 4, 2006--Siemens Medical Solutions and IMRIS, Inc. today announced the signing of a global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement. Siemens MAGNETOM Espree(TM) and MAGNETOM Symphony® Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems will be incorporated into IMRIS' ceiling-mounted surgical imaging systems, used in neurosurgical, spinal and soft tissue procedures.

iMotion, IMRIS' ceiling-mounted MRI, can be moved between the diagnostic imaging area and operating room by a track system, ensuring advanced medical technology in multiple locations. In addition, the combination of Siemens' diagnostic technology and IMRIS' surgical innovations enable surgeons to remove diseased tissue more efficiently, reduce damage to healthy tissue, and decrease visits to the operating room (OR) for subsequent surgeries. Ultimately, this helps to improve patient outcomes and provides a strong financial platform for medical facilities.

"The challenge of having an MRI system solely in the OR is that it can be costly and may take medical facilities years to recoup their investment," said David Graves, president, IMRIS. "By offering a system that can be used in the OR as well as the diagnostic imaging department, a facility can realize a significantly improved return on investment. iMotion fills this need, providing advanced MRI technology in either department at any time in minutes."

The MAGNETOM Espree with Tim® (Total imaging matrix) technology is the world's only 70 cm Open Bore 1.5 Tesla (1.5T) MRI system. Offering more room than a traditional MRI while being only 1.25 meters in length, it is one of the leading systems to adequately address issues related to obesity, claustrophobia, elderly and pediatric patients, while capturing high-field 1.5T quality diagnostic images. The MAGNETOM Symphony 1.5T MRI system, available with Tim technology, encompasses some of the most advanced technologies and programs on the market today.

"Incorporating Siemens' MRI technology with IMRIS' iMotion will provide customers with a new way of integrating diagnostic imaging into their facility's infrastructure," said Nancy Gillen, vice president, MRI Division, Siemens Medical Solutions. "Movable MRI allows doctors and patients access to the technology where and when it is most needed, improving patient care, workflow and financial outcomes. Medical facilities are no longer limited by the notion of only one department benefiting from a MRI system."

Siemens Tim technology is the first seamless, whole body surface coil design that combines up to 102 seamlessly integrated coil elements with up to 32 independent RF Channels, opening the door to the most advanced clinical applications available today. This includes syngo® SPACE, which provides fast and more accurate 3D imaging with contrasts for complex spine, head, inner ear, abdomen and pelvis cases. Offering better depiction of bleeding in stroke and brain trauma patients, syngo SWI (Susceptibility Weighted Imaging) allows for visualization of contusions and shearing injuries, and identification of minute intracranial vascular malformations. Also, syngo GRAPPA speeds up spine imaging for small children or patients with severe back pain. With the powerful combination of Tim technology and syngo applications, Siemens' MRI is helping medical professionals improve the delivery of healthcare.

IMRIS Inc. designs and manufactures surgical imaging systems for use in neurological, spinal and soft tissue procedures. The IMRIS product line provides fully integrated surgical imaging suites that help enable improved outcomes for patients. More information about IMRIS can be found at www.imris.com.

Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE:SI ) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 33,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 976 million EUR for fiscal 2005. More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.

Source: Siemens Medical Solutions

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