Siemens Healthcare and IMRIS announce collaboration

IMRIS has revealed that VISIUS surgical theatres with intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging systems will be integrated into four of Siemens Healthcare's hybrid operating suites.

The suites, which have recently been sold to Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden, are the latest example of the growing cooperation between the two firms.

Jay D Miller, president and chief executive officer of Minnesota-based IMRIS, commented: "This represents the close and progressing global collaboration IMRIS has with Siemens Healthcare to bring advanced imaging to the operating environment."

He added that already many of the world's top neuroscience centres are making intraoperative MRIs their standard of care.

Sahlgrenska University Hospital is one of the largest healthcare systems in northern Europe and is linked to the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

The collaborative deal will see both radiology and MRI systems integrated into four hybrid operating systems for a new imaging center due to open in 2016.

Johan Malsjo, head of division of imaging and therapy at Siemens Healthcare in Sweden, said the benefit for patients is obvious, as minimally invasive surgeries mean they can leave hospital sooner.