A Medical Device Daily

GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wisconsin) and Varian (Palo Alto, California) reported that they will begin a collaboration to develop a new preclinical 7T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system.

Under the agreement, initial development and integration will be a joint effort between the two companies. Once development is complete, Varian will offer customers a fully integrated 7T System combining GE Healthcare's state of the art electronics, user interface, pulse-sequences and applications with the magnet, gradients, positioning devices and RF coils provided by Varian.

"This is an example of the terrific working relationship GE and Varian have established," said Jim Davis, general manager of the global MR business for GE Healthcare. "We are combining the best of our technology with the best of Varian's technology to create a very advanced 7T MR system for research purposes."

Garry Rogerson, president/CEO at Varian, added, "Preclinical imaging is a key area of growth for Varian. We are very pleased to be entering into this collaboration with GE. Our established MRI product range is highly regarded by the MR scientific community, and this new system enables us to reach beyond our traditional customers."

"We feel this system is an ideal addition to our existing preclinical MRI product line," said Martin O'Donoghue, VP, Scientific Instruments at Varian. "It will appeal to the burgeoning group of researchers who have experience with GE MRI systems. We feel this will give them the pre-clinical MR imaging tool they have been looking for."