In the mood for a convenient brain scan? Head to a medical exhibition focused on magnetic resonance imaging technology and you might be able to get “swooped” right on the trade show floor, courtesy of medtech company Hyperfine.
Its innovative Swoop is the world’s first FDA-cleared portable magnetic resonance imaging system capable of providing neuroimaging at the point of care. For hospitals and patients, it expands patient access and reduces patient transport and associated risks while being more cost-effective than conventional high-field MRI systems. Unlike the typical high-field MRI which requires specialized infrastructure and individuals with specialized training to operate, Swoop system operation, navigation and safety training is simple, which allows for expanded user access – even at a trade show.
Recently, Hyperfine has been demonstrating this to attendees at leading medical events globally this month, May 2024, such as the American Society of Neuroradiology annual meeting in Las Vegas and the 2024 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine annual meeting in Singapore.
Designed with a magnet rated at 64 mT, the system stands 59 inches tall by 33 inches wide and weighs approximately 1,400 pounds. Its specially designed shield door and sensors enable operation requiring no external shielding with built-in continuous noise cancellation of electromagnetic interference. The multi-channel removable head coil comes encased in clear, durable, and easy-to-disinfect polycarbonate plastic.
For the patient, Swoop is a convenient and potentially low-stress experience. It is helpful in diverse environments, can reduce the length of time a patient has to wait for an MRI scan, and provides expanded access to patients who might not otherwise be candidates for an MRI at the time of care.
As an ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging device it can generate images that display the internal structure of the head where full diagnostic examination is not clinically practical. When interpreted by a trained physician, the images provide information that can be useful in determining a diagnosis. The system also has received CE certification in the European Union and UKCA certification in the United Kingdom.
Based in Guilford, Connecticut, Hyperfine currently is rolling out Swoop to medical markets worldwide. It recently forged agreements with several distributors to support commercial expansion of the system into European markets with an initial focus on France, the United Kingdom and Italy. For more info, see www.hyperfine.io.
