Due to the introduction of open and semi-open machines, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is no longer a tool that is just used by a few specialists in diagnostic imaging. Open MRI units were originally designed to reduce patients’ claustrophobia. Physicians discovered quickly that many interventional procedures are much easier to perform under these open MRI systems than under conventional Computer Tomography (CT).
The new open magnets have stimulated this progress significantly, although interventions are currently also frequently performed in conventional MRI units.

The main reasons for the increasing interest in MRI are:

• Free from ionizing radiation
• Multiplanar imaging facilitates anatomic-topographic orientation
• MRI views the soft tissue better than any other imaging system
• Temperature sensitivity
• Today, images can be built up as fast in MRI as in CT due to its improved software.

Today, more and more medical disciplines are joining the new world of Interventional MRI:

• Neurologists and neurosurgeons use MRI for brain biopsy and hematoma-suction
• Otolaryngologists use MRI because of the good view of critical and small sites in the head and neck area
• Urologists use MRI for better results of prostate biopsies
• Orthopedists perform bone biopsies with the guidance of MRI
• Biopsies of breast and liver tumors were among the first procedures to be part of Interventional MRI in Oncology.

The key for a well functioning procedure under MRI is the material of the instruments that are used. Instruments have to be non-magnetic, with a low artefact, in order to be seen and handled properly. STERYLAB is one of the few companies in the world to develop such materials and to provide properly visible instruments for Interventional MRI procedures.

MR-CLEAR^® is the range of soft-tissues biopsy needles for the interventional MRI procedures: from the Chiba-type needle (Complete-Chiba^®) to the manual or automatic guillotine biopsy needle (Bio-Cut^® / Spring-Cut^® / Colt^®).

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