East Coast Medical Systems Announces
Completion of MRI Installation Project

Atlanta, GA – (December 12, 2008) An in-house MRI is now available for patients at NW Neurology in Austell, GA, thanks to the installation of new magnetic resonance imaging equipment by East Coast Medical Systems.

Crews from Atlanta-based East Coast Medical Systems recently completed the installation of a GE 1.5 Short Bore LCC (low cryogen consumption) Magnet, which provides a significantly higher quality image than a traditional Open MRI.

East Coast Medical Systems first task included making upgrades and changing the cold head to the magnet while it was in cold storage. Next, the 14,500 pound magnet, the heart of the system, was delivered to the physician practice in conjunction with the delivery and placement of a new modular building. A rigging crew had to lift it with a crane and delicately place it through the wall of the building and lower it to the floor. Due to its size, weight, maneuverability and sensitivity of the magnet, the rigging coordination and installation required skillful planning and timing, according to Jimmy Kallam, president and senior engineer of East Coast Medical Systems.

“The modular building was longer than average so we had to obtain custom cabling, including custom helium lines that run from a compressor to the cold head.  We also fabricated stainless steel lines,” he explains.

East Coast Medical Systems Announces Completion of Installation Project
Additionally, the team completed mechanical alignments to the system and lasers, and leveled the table. After the MRI was in place, the team got the system up and running and “ramped” the magnet. Through testing and trouble shooting, the team found two electronic components that needed exchanging in the scan assembly. Next, the team began a process of tuning and calibrating, which is one of the most critical steps in installation.

Tuning involves “shimming” the magnet. Shimming is a lengthy process which requires extreme precision in adjusting the magnet field to achieve a degree of homogeneity.  High quality MRI images require a strong magnetic field that is extremely homogeneous in the target area. Shimming allows the magnet to compensate for disturbances in the magnet and environment.  Final calibrations, alignments and fine-tuning assured accurate and precise image quality.  The entire installation project took approximately three weeks to complete.

East Coast Medical Systems prides itself on managing complex installations.  “The extra cable runs and unexpected changes to the system made this project challenging yet gratifying,” explains Kallam.  “Each MRI project requires a customized solution with a team of extremely knowledgeable imaging engineers. Our firm garners rave reviews from hospitals and health care providers throughout the southeast.”

With hundreds of service calls, repairs, installations and de-installations each year, and 40-plus years combined experience, East Coast Medical Systems is one of the southeast’s most experienced and fastest growing companies for MRI & CT scanner sales, service and repair. 

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