No more fear of the “tube.” How UIH’s Omega uMR MRI with a 75-centimeter opening is redefining patient comfort for obese and claustrophobic patients

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No more fear of the “tube.” How UIH’s Omega uMR MRI with a 75-centimeter opening is redefining patient comfort for obese and claustrophobic patients

United Imaging Healthcare, pursuing its “Think Big” strategy, has launched a solution that breaks down existing barriers. uMR Omega™ is the world’s first 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system equipped with an ultra-wide 75 cm diameter gantry opening. This device not only changes the technical parameters – it redefines the patient experience, offering “first-class” comfort without compromising image quality.

75 cm that changes everything – a revolution in accessibility

Standard MRI machines typically have an opening diameter of 60 or 70 cm. Those few centimeters of difference in the case of the uMR Omega (75 cm) represent a technological leap forward and determine the “to be or not to be” for a large group of patients.

Breaking down barriers for bariatric patients

Obesity is one of the most serious health problems of the 21st century, but medical infrastructure often fails to keep pace with the needs of bariatric patients. The uMR Omega is designed to provide access to advanced diagnostics for everyone, regardless of body size.

• Ultra-wide opening (75 cm): Provides the physical space necessary to comfortably position the patient inside the scanner, eliminating the risk of abrasions or inability to enter the gantry.
• Table load capacity up to 310 kg: The system is equipped with a powerful patient table that safely supports individuals weighing up to 310 kilograms. This parameter dramatically increases the accessibility of medical procedures.

No more claustrophobia nightmare

For people who suffer from a fear of enclosed spaces, the prospect of “entering the tube” is terrifying. United Imaging has applied the uAIFI UltraWide approach to the uMR Omega model, which combines physical spaciousness with psychological comfort.

• The extra inches around the body give the patient a sense of breathing space and freedom, reducing the feeling of confinement.
• The interior of the gantry has been designed to offer a unique environment that imitates a starry sky. Instead of a sterile, technical ceiling, the patient sees a calming view, which helps them relax and distract them from the medical procedure.

uAIFI technology – Artificial Intelligence for comfort

At the heart of the uMR Omega system is the uAIFI (United Imaging AI for Imaging) platform. It is a collection of intelligent technologies that streamline every stage of the examination, making it faster, quieter, and more pleasant.

The feeling of a blanket instead of a heavy coil (uAIFI SuperFlex Coil)

In traditional MRI, patients are often covered with heavy, rigid receiver coils, which can cause discomfort, anxiety, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. United Imaging has introduced uAIFI SuperFlex Coil – a new generation of coils with high RF density. They are flexible and give the feeling of being covered with a light blanket (“blanket-like feeling”). This makes the patient feel wrapped up rather than weighed down, which significantly improves image quality (thanks to better adhesion) and lying comfort.

Non-contact breathing monitoring (uAIFI EasySense)

Another stressor, especially during abdominal or chest examinations, is the need to wear breathing belts that must be tightly fastened to the body. uMR Omega eliminates this problem with uAIFI EasySense. It is the industry’s first solution to use dual-source phased-array millimeter-wave radar for non-contact detection of patient respiratory movements. The patient is not restricted by any additional devices, which is crucial for obese people, those who have suffered injuries, or those with sensory hypersensitivity.

Silence during the examination (uAIFI QScan)

The noise generated by magnetic resonance gradients is one of the main sources of stress, especially for children and the elderly. uAIFI QScan technology allows for quiet whole-body scanning. Importantly, noise reduction is achieved without compromising image quality. This is possible thanks to the combination of intelligent ACS (AI-assisted Compressed Sensing) and DeepRecon reconstruction algorithms. Quiet examinations in clinical settings are becoming the new standard, rather than just an option for selected sequences.

Speed that reduces stress

Long examination times are the enemy of comfort. The longer a patient has to lie still, the greater the likelihood of pain and anxiety. United Imaging has incorporated technologies into the uMR Omega that radically reduce acquisition time.

Thanks to uAIFI ACS technology, the system combines four methods of accelerating imaging (CS, HF, PI, and deep learning neural networks). This allows for the acquisition of individual body parts in less than 100 seconds. Such a pace:

• Increases the throughput of the clinic.
• Minimizes the risk of motion artifacts.
• It is beneficial for patients with severe back or joint pain who are unable to lie in one position for long periods of time.

Motion Freezing

The system is ideal for “difficult” patients – the elderly (geriatrics), children (pediatrics), and patients who have difficulty controlling their reflexes. The Motion Freezing feature and high scanning speed increase the percentage of successful first-time exams, eliminating the need for retakes.

No compromise on image quality

In the world of medical technology, a “wide aperture” often meant compromising on image quality due to the difficulty of maintaining a uniform magnetic field over a larger area. United Imaging has broken this stereotype with its uMR Omega model.

Despite its 75-centimeter aperture, the system offers high-end 3.0T parameters:

• Field homogeneity: A typical value of 0.029 ppm at 30 cm DSV (Diameter Spherical Volume) guarantees excellent fat saturation and geometric image fidelity, even at the edges of the field of view (FoV max 60 cm).
• Powerful gradients: A gradient system with an amplitude of 45 mT/m and a slew rate of 200 T/m/s provides the image sharpness and speed necessary for advanced clinical applications.
• GPA amplifier: A new generation gradient amplifier with a peak power of 3.5 MW.

This gives physicians access to advanced clinical applications such as:

• Head SWI+ and DTI 256 Directions: Advanced neurodiagnostics.
• High-resolution Hippocampus: Precise imaging of brain structures in epilepsy or dementia.
• Heart BSSFP CINE: Dynamic imaging of the heart.
• Whole-body DWI: Diffusion imaging of the entire body, crucial in oncology.

Summary

The uMR Omega™ system from United Imaging Healthcare proves that advanced engineering can go hand in hand with empathy. Thanks to the combination of a record-breaking wide opening (75 cm), powerful table lifting capacity, and intelligent uAIFI technologies (SuperFlex, EasySense, QScan), magnetic resonance imaging is no longer a traumatic experience.

For hospitals, this means the ability to examine a wider group of patients and increase efficiency. For obese or claustrophobic patients, it means something much more important – access to life-saving diagnostics in conditions of dignity and peace. This is “Trust based on quality” in the 21st century.