SYLVANIA, OH (Toledo News Now) - Mercy Imaging Center in Sylvania's new MRI machine is the only one of its kind in the region.
The Hitachi Oasis is the only open magnet, high-strength MRI in the Toledo area. It allows for a more open, comfortable environment for patients who are nervous about having the procedure done.
"I grew up in orphanages and foster care so I've always been really scared of enclosed spaces, and then I found out about these, so it was wonderful having these," said Kevin Urrutia, an MRI patient.
Mercy Imaging Center Director of Imaging Tanya English says accommodating patients who are nervous was a niche that the Mercy team hoped to fill with the new equipment.
"Patients that are claustrophobic, have high anxiety, are bariatric, patients that just are not comfortable lying down and being enclosed. This is an open platform so they'll be a lot more comfortable. In addition to that, they can look to either side and not see anything and they can even have a family member or friend hold their hand so that it makes their scan more comfortable," she said.
The open model also features a magnet that is four times as strong as previous models. In other words, there are no limitations on the types of tests performed, and the quality of the scans allow doctors to diagnose more accurately.
The 660 pound table is the highest weight limit in the industry, and so far, patients are impressed with the new design.
"It's been wonderful. You can see the relief on the patients as they walk into the room and then see the scanner and they're like 'oh yes I can do this one, it's open!'" said Melissa Robertson, Lead MRI Technologist at Mercy Imaging Center.
It also means patients no longer have to rely solely on medication to ease their nerves.
"It's comforting. It's comfortable," said Urrutia. "It's very easy, it's nice, it's wonderful to have because they're open like that."
