Toshiba Medical Systems is putting its newly launched Vantage Elan MRI 1.5-tesla system to use at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, marking the product's entry into the European market.
Toshiba announced it would roll out Vantage Elan to the European market at ECR 2014, but until now the system was previously only available in Japan. The relocatable MR system forms part of the onsite medical facility at the Commonwealth Games for which Toshiba Medical is the official medical systems provider.
Vantage Elan was designed in partnership with Bristol-based specialist vehicle manufacturer WH Bence, and it offers almost 50% more space than conventional mobile MRI units, Toshiba said. Vantage Elan is 3.5-m wide and does not require a separate escort vehicle to follow the unit during transportation.
The system is furnished with an onboard diesel generator, ambient lighting, visual displays on walls and ceiling, Freeview TV and sound system, as well as hot and cold running water. It also has a low loader trailer, rear steering axles that can be steered via remote control, an MRI-compatible wheelchair, and patient transfer gurney/Patslide.
After its use at the Commonwealth Games, the system will go to a National Health Service (NHS) Hospital for long-term rental.
