Toshiba Medical’s Newest MRI System Tapped for UCI Brain Trauma Research
UCI Study Seeks to Identify Precursors to CTE in High School Football Players with the Vantage Galan 3T
TUSTIN, Calif., March 8, 2017 – Researchers at the University of California, Irvine now have access to Toshiba Medical’s most advanced MR technology for their cutting edge neurology work investigating cerebral microbleeds (CMB) in high school football players as a potential precursor to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). As part of its ongoing, first-of-its-kind study to identify early signs of brain trauma in young athletes, UCI doctors will now leverage Toshiba Medical’s all-new Vantage GalanTM 3T MR system as a key diagnostic tool.
“Young athletes competing in high-impact activities face many potential risks of head injury, but Toshiba Medical’s Galan 3T MR system may enable us to identify these risks and make greater strides in our understanding and treatment of early head trauma,” said Dr. Mark Fisher, UCI professor of neurology and study lead researcher. “We are very excited at the prospect of marrying health care and technology to provide better treatment for athletes today and improved preventative care in the years to come.”
The UCI study is investigating the use of non-contrast MRI as a safe and noninvasive way to examine young athletes and other patients for early signs of CTE, a degenerative disease found in those who suffer head trauma, and a well-documented consequence of sub-concussive head injury. Evaluations of local high school student volunteers include 100 test subjects (football players) and 50 control subjects (non-football players), and the research is supported by the UCI Exercise Medicine and Sport Sciences Initiative (EMSSI). Toshiba Medical has provided application training to UCI researchers to operate the Vantage Galan 3T. UCI is also leveraging the system for imaging of the cervical spine to screen for early neck injury.
The Vantage Galan 3T was chosen for its ability to conduct quick, comfortable and high-quality neuro exams. Designed to increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by up to 20 percent, the system allows for faster sampling and higher resolution images thanks to PURERF and Saturn technologies. This, combined with the ability to stack protocol sequences, results in quick neuro exams enabling researchers to produce higher resolution images for myriad neuro exams in under five minutes.1 The system’s 71 cm aperture expands access to large and claustrophobic patients, while Pianissimo™ Zen technology reduces sound during acquisition by 99 percent.2
“We designed the Vantage Galan 3T to make highly advanced 3T imaging accessible to more healthcare providers,” said Eugene Mensah, Ph.D., M.B.A., director, Clinical Collaborations, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. “This study provides a fascinating look at how, from the most complex research settings to the most complicated clinical situations, Toshiba Medical’s imaging innovations are helping clinicians support fast, effective patient care to prioritize clinical outcomes.”
About University of California, Irvine
Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 30,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $4.8 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.
About Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.
Toshiba America Medical Systems, a Canon Group company headquartered in Tustin, Calif., markets, sells, distributes and services radiology and cardiovascular systems, including CT, MR, ultrasound, X-ray and interventional X-ray equipment. For more information, visit Toshiba Medical’s website at www.medical.toshiba.com.
About Toshiba Medical
Toshiba Medical offers a full range of diagnostic medical imaging solutions including Ultrasound, CT, X-Ray, and MR, across the globe. As of December 2016, Toshiba Medical became a member of the Canon Group. In line with our continued Made for Life philosophy, patients are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to provide medical professionals with solutions that support their efforts in contributing to the health and wellbeing of patients worldwide so that together our industry-leading solutions deliver an enriched quality of life.
###
1. Initial indications suggest the following neuro sequences can be performed in under five minutes: SAG T1, AX T2, AX T2 FLAIR, AX T2* and AX DWI/ADC.
2. 99% reduction by unit of Loudness level “dB” and 97% reduction by unit of perceived loudness “Sone”.
Image Caption: Researchers at the University of California, Irvine will leverage Toshiba Medical’s Vantage GalanTM 3T for their cutting edge neurology work investigating cerebral microbleeds (CMB) in high school football players as a potential precursor to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).