Sophisticated diagnostic capabilities are available at Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital with the use of an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system from Philips Medical Systems.

The Philips Gyroscan Intera 1.5T (Intera) unit features a comfortable, open environment that may help reduce patient anxiety. The magnet accommodates very large and claustrophobic patients, while also providing benefits of super conducting magnet technology. For some exams, the patient’s head is actually outside the scanner. The new patient-friendly features such as the wide patient opening, music entertainment, soft patient mattress with a headrest, and reduced noise help improve patient comfort and makes it easier to scan children and senior citizens, who may be nervous about entering an MRI scanner.

The Intera offers shorter scan times and improved non-invasive techniques. The Intera does not require the patient to be scanned for a long time to achieve acceptable image quality. The Intera provides the benefit of open system comfort with high quality image output.The Intera provides full body imaging protocols for neurology, abdomen and pelvis applications, head & neck MR angiography, and body MR angiography. The unit is also capable of orthopedic MR scans for extremities and spines.

At Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital, our goal is to provide the best quality MR experience for our patients. From the private interview lounge to the complimentary integrated conventional therapies including aromatherapy and soothing music, the friendly and compassionate staff are here to meet your needs.

What is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?

MRI is a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to construct pictures of the body. A powerful magnet generates a magnetic field roughly 10,000 times stronger than the natural background magnetism from the earth. A very small percentage of hydrogen atoms within a human body will align with this field.

When focused radio wave pulses are broadcast towards the aligned hydrogen atoms in tissues of interest, they will return a signal. The subtle differences in that signal from various body tissues enables MRI to differentiate organs, and potentially contrast benign and malignant tissue.

To schedule a MRI at Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital, please call 281-897-3121.