Oxford, 2012-Dec-11
A Siemens Magnetom Spectra scanner
Diane Fowler, from Arkansas, USA, contacted Siemens in the UK after hearing about a miniature MRI scanner which was developed by Siemens Magnet Technology in Oxford. The miniature MRI scanner was developed to help play specialists at Oxford Children’s Hospital explain to children what happens when you have an MRI scan.
Play specialists at the hospital provide therapeutic play for children of all ages, individually and in groups to help provide distractions during procedures. They also support families and siblings and add to clinical judgments through play centred observations.
They have been using the miniature scanner for a year and have found it to be hugely successful. Children are often given anaesthetics in order to have an MRI scan as it’s important for the patient to remain absolutely still for the scan to be successful. By using the miniature scanner with children, there has been a reduction in the amount of children needing to undergo general anaesthetic.
Diane Fowler said: “My eleven-year-old son, Artie, is autistic and is completely obsessed with MRI machines. I have looked everywhere as this is the only thing he wants for Christmas and thinks Santa can bring him this.
“Artie has been very ill and has had a lot of scans, which is the reason he has become completely intrigued by them. His teacher in school made him a pretend MRI machine which played with daily until it fell apart and he was heart broken when I couldn't fix it again.
“He can tell you the parts of the machines and how they work and he watches videos on You Tube of MRI and CT demonstrations.
“I heard about the miniature MRI scanner developed by Siemens Healthcare in the UK and contacted them to find out if they could help with my Christmas quest. I was delighted to receive a response from them to say they would send me a miniature MRI magnet and brochures in time for Christmas. I am overwhelmed with happiness at the generosity of Siemens taking the time to do this for my son.
“I’m really looking forward to Christmas morning when he opens it. Siemens has helped make Artie’s Christmas wish come true.”
Craig Marshall, managing director of Siemens Magnet Technology, based in Oxford, said: “The Siemens Healthcare mission statement is that 'we innovate to improve human health'. The model MRI scanner is an example of where we have been very innovative in improving the wellbeing, in this case of children, who are about to have a MRI scan and all credit to our Siemens staff who developed this idea and made it a reality. We are delighted to be able to help Diane with her Christmas present request.”
Notes to editors:
About Siemens Healthcare
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimising clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 51,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. For further information please visit: http://www.siemens.co.uk/healthcare.
For further information please contact:
Laura Bennett
PR Manager
Communications & Government Affairs
Siemens plc
Sir William Siemens Square
Frimley
Camberley
GU16 8QD
Tel: + 44 (0)1276 696374
Mobile:+ 44 (0)7808 823598
laura.bennett@siemens.com
