New MRI Centre Coming to Lethbridge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The University of Lethbridge, in partnership with local radiologists, are excited to announce they will soon be opening the University 3 Tesla (U3T) MRI Centre, a world-class diagnostic and research imaging facility. This will provide the most powerful Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the region, including Southern Alberta, Southwestern Saskatchewan, Southeastern BC and Northern Montana.
MRI machines use a magnetic field, radio waves and computer technology, to generate detailed images of internal organs, body tissue and anatomy. This allows doctors non-invasive access to the injury, or analysis of the medical condition, to determine the best course of action for medical treatment. MRI scanning is used to diagnose early stages of cancer; brain, spine and nerve abnormalities; as well as injury to soft tissue, bone, joint and muscle. MRI scans allow for earlier detection of medical conditions, resulting in faster treatment and more favourable outcomes.
Due to the technology's higher cost, 3 tesla MRI (Siemens 3 Tesla MAGNETOM Skyra MRI System) has traditionally been limited to research institutions, while 1.5 tesla MRI, with its lower cost, has been standard for use in hospitals and clinics across North America. Offering a stronger magnetic field, more space for the patient and higher table weight capacity, the 3T MRI maximizes patient comfort while providing exceptional imaging quality. The reliability of a high-field MRI allows radiologists to differentiate between benign and potentially hazardous medical conditions with confidence. This allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment, leading to an increase in positive outcomes.
“It is very exciting to be able to offer a state-of-the-art 3T MRI – one of only a few private 3T MRI machines in Canada,” says Dr. Michael Lane, radiologist. “This MRI allows for a very high degree of diagnostic confidence."
This facility will be available for private clinical scanning of patients needing an MRI. Currently, depending on the medical condition, the wait time for a public hospital MRI is approximately 10-12 months. The wait period at this new facility will be one to three days.
Fully accredited local radiologists will provide the clinical interpretation of private examinations. The patients will promptly have their records sent to their physician, with a CD or USB of their images.
Patients will be able to book an MRI at the U3T Centre in one of two ways. They can be referred by a physician licensed to practice in Canada. When being referred, a patient will require a requisition form to be completed by the referring physician. Alternatively, patients will be able to complete a self-referral form online and submit it directly. Both forms are found online at www.u3t.ca or call 1-844-425-5267 for more information.
The new 3T MRI was transported to the University of Lethbridge’s CCBN on May 24th, 2016. This facility will be open to book appointments on June 20th, with plans for a community open house early July and clinical use starting mid-July.
The University of Lethbridge (U of L) will utilise the U3T Centre to augment their world-class behavioural and systems neuroscience research. The Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN), at the U of L, has been home to important discoveries about memory, memory disorders, aging, movement systems, recovery from brain injury, transgenerational effects of stress, brain development and addiction.
“The 3T state-of-the-art MRI will be game-changing for the researchers and students in neuroscience and related fields,” says Dr. Robert Sutherland, Chair of the U of L’s Department of Neuroscience.
University 3T MRI Centre is a world-class diagnostic imaging and research facility, providing private scanning to the public with the most powerful MRI in the region.
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For more information on the U3T MRI Centre please contact:
Karen Smith
Marketing, PR & Communications Consultant
Phone: 587-220-5827
Email: KMDSmithConsulting@gmail.com
or
Janice Adamson, Project Manager
U3T MRI Centre
4401 University Drive West
CCBN Building
Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4
Phone: 403-915-4933
Email: janice@u3t.ca
Website: www.u3t.ca
