A premier version of the new open system, the AIRIS Elite 0.3T, was unveiled.

This system has a higher gradient specification with gradient strengths of 21 mT/m and a slew rate of 55 mT/m/s. It also features a higher specification host computer.

A new version of the AIRIS II 0.3T open system is available to US markets only.

This version has a larger patient aperture and higher maximum patient weight specifications than the one marketed in Europe. As such, this new version will require extra siting requirements.

The ALTAIRE 0.7T system will only be marketed in the US and there are no plans for it to be introduced to Europe.

As such, MagNET will not be evaluating this system.

Hitachi is the only MR manufacturer to provide air-cooled gradients for their systems.

Consequently, siting requirements are less stringent since no additional space is required for a gradient systems chiller cabinet.

Hitachi now offer a paralell imaging system, RAPID.

Three RAPID multiple-channel coils are currently available: 4-channel Head, 4-channel Body and a 4-channel Extremity.

A number of standard, multiple-element coils were also on display; CTL Spine, NeuroVascular, Breast Biopsy and Hitachi's large Peripheral Vascular coil.

Hitachi's applications software, ASCENT, features FLAIR, EPI, fat saturation, FSE and their new diffusion software PEAKS and rPEAKS.

Volume rendering is also available.