Allaire vs. Available 1.ST Systems

Introduction Hitachi is the Open MR leader with over 1,200 systems installed, and Altaire is the High-Field Performance Open MR leader with over 100 systems installed. Altaire provides high-field performance in terms of image quality, patient throughput and advanced applications.

Magnet • The homogeneity of the Altaire 0.35pp @ 35cm DSV is equal

to and in some cases superior to that any high field system. This allows Altaire to provide consistent image quality for the most demanding applications (RF FatSat).

• The gantry opening of Altaire is the most open MR system available. The magnet gap is an industry best 47cm. The gantry features Hitachi's award-winning asymmetrical two­post gantry, which provides the largest outlook angle available for added patient acceptance. In comparison to the 1.5T systems 60cm diameter bore (without the patient table) and 5 to 6 feet in length, Altaire provides unmatched patient comfort.

• Altaire incorporates higher order active shim, which in the past was only available on high-field systems. This technique enables Altaire to maintain consistently high and uniform image quality, and allows for advanced capabilities like Balanced SARGE and FatSat.

Gradient Subsystem • The Altaire gradient system with its 22mT/m amplitude and

55T/m/s slew rate is superior to the many gradient specifications (i .e. 23150) and comparable to most any high field systems available. Manufacturers do offer more powerful gradient packages at increased price levels.

RF Subsystem • Altaire's sophisticated transmit system provides the user with

a state of the art quadrature four channel multi-element resonator coil (MER). Which provides high signal uniformity specifically for RF FatSat and large FOV imaging.

• A full line of Multiple Array anatomically specific coils are offered with Altaire. Including the industry leading 16 element Peripheral Vascular coil , which is the first PV coil available on any Open MR system. Other multi-element coils include the CTl, Breast, and Neurovascular coils.

Advanced Capabilities Altaire is able to offer advanced applications akin to high-field systems due to VOSI technology. Specifically, the powerful gradient system provides short TR's and TE's as well as narrow inter-echo times for advanced applications like: • Balanced SARGE • Driven Equilibrium FSE/FIR • Contrast Enhanced MRA

-Peripheral Run-Offs -COW to aortic arch in one acquisition

• EPI based Diffusion Weighted Imaging -ADC and Trace Mapping

January 2003

Patient Table • The Altaire patient table has 3 axis motorized movement and

lowers to a comfortable 19" (wheelchair height) while the Infinity table only lowers to a height of 27". This gives Altaire an advantage when handling pediatric, infirm and large patients allowing them to easily be placed on the patient table.

• The Altaire patient table can accommodate weights up to 500 Ibs. , and if used manually has virtually no weight limit. Most high-field system's patient tables only handle up to 350 Ibs. Altaire can accommodate far more patients, that presents more scanning and revenue opportunities.

Siting and Operation The square footage requirements are nearly equal, and Altaire is easily sited in place of existing 1.5T systems. Altaire is more efficient to operate. The modest power requirements are three phase 20SV, and 12.7KW. High-field systems require 4S0V three phase power and over 20KW, and typically have higher A/C requirements.

Support and Reliability Hitachi provides unmatched customer support and reliability. Some examples of free support features provided to our customers are: • High-Field Performance Enhancement • Demographic analysis • Customer marketing assistance • On-going applications assistance • ACR accreditation assistance Additionally, Altaire provides and consistently exceeds a 99% Uptime Guarantee for all systems. All Altaire contract customers will receive Ultra Plus service featuring Sentinel Remote Service.

A testament to the quality of service provided is that over 9S.5% of all Hitachi MR systems ever sold are still operational .

Scan Time Comparison

Study Type Scan 1.5T Altaire T1 Sag 2:00 2:25

Brain FLAIR Axial 3:30 2:48 FSE Axial 3:00 2:47 T1 Axial 2:30 3:07

Total 11 :00 11:07 T1 Sagittal 3:00 3:57

Spine FSE Sagittal 3:30 2:37

T1 Axial 4:30 6:24 T2 Axial 3:30 4:48

Total 14:30 17:46 T1 Sagittal 2:30 3:58

Knee FSE Axial 3:45 2:38

FSE Sagittal 3:30 3:12 T1 Coronal 3:00 3:29

Total 12:45 13:17

Altaire with VOSI Technology provides high-field performance, advanced capabilities, and patient throughput comparable to 1.5T systems in an Open MR patient friendly environment.