Siemens Healthineers announced today that the FDA has cleared its MAGNETOM Sempra 1.5T MR, a system designed for radiology practices and small- to medium-sized hospitals that need to keep operating costs low.

The scanner utilizes three Day optimizing throughput (Dot) workflow engines (for brain, spine and large joint exams) so that clinical cases can be adjusted for each patient. Together, those procedures add up to roughly 75 percent of the average MR imaging volume, which means exams can be conducted faster and repeat scans can be avoided more often.

Patients with MR-safe metallic hip and knee implants can undergo MAGNETOM Sempra exams and most scans — including brain scans — can be completed in 10 minutes.
The system also employs Eco-Power technology which monitors and controls the magnet-cooling helium and can reduce energy consumption by up to 30 percent, compared to the system’s normal mode. Zero Helium boil-off technology is offered as a supplementary feature to help facilities avoid helium refills by preventing evaporation.

"Siemens Healthineers is pleased to offer the MAGNETOM Sempra, an MR system designed to address the needs of radiology practices, smaller hospitals, and other providers in delivering high-quality patient care in a cost-effective manner," said Murat Gungor, vice president of Magnetic Resonance at Siemens Healthineers North America, in a statement. "As with the other MR systems in our portfolio, the MAGNETOM Sempra can help providers increase productivity and address profitability while delivering a highly positive patient experience."

For a better patient experience, the system's software platform includes Siemens’ Quiet Suite technology, which can reduce sound pressure by up to 97 percent during brain and musculoskeletal exams.

Siemens unveiled the MAGNETOM Sempra at the RSNA annual meeting in November. At that time, Daniel Fischer, MR global marketing manager for Siemens, told HCB News that the "workhorse" system was developed in response to drops in reimbursement in the U.S.

“Motion alone can cost $100,000 per year in terms of just re-scans,” he said. “The MAGNETOM Sempra is what we consider our solution to really address financial uncertainty. We consider this to be our most cost-effective 1.5T scanner.”

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