News & Events

Aurora Dedicated Breast MRI and Premier Breast Imaging System Now Available at the Award-Winning Toledo Hospital Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Center

TOLEDO, Ohio (Nov. 12, 2007) – Aurora Imaging Technology Inc. today announced that the Aurora® 1.5Tesla Dedicated Breast MRI System has been installed and is now available to patients for the first time in Ohio at The Toledo Hospital Breast Care Center as part of a joint venture with Toledo Radiological Associates.  The Toledo Hospital is part of the ProMedica Health System, which is a leader in diagnostic imaging.  The Aurora System is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared dedicated breast MRI system specifically designed for the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.

Although the national breast cancer mortality rate has declined in recent years, it is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in women in Ohio and the leading cause of cancer in women, accounting for 30 percent of all new cancer cases, according to the Ohio Cancer Facts & Figures.  Prior to the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) update on breast cancer screening guidelines in March of this year, which recommends breast MRI as an adjunct to mammography for high risk women, The Toledo Hospital and the Toledo Radiology Association had already been preparing to incorporate the Aurora System to service the community as a one-of-a-kind MRI technology exclusively designed for detecting breast cancer.

“We chose the Aurora Dedicated Breast MRI System because it is specifically designed for breast imaging and, unlike whole body general MRI machines, is more comfortable for women and can better detect abnormalities in breast tissue,” says Robin Shermis, M.D., director of Breast Imaging for The Toledo Hospital and Flower Hospital.  “This system produces faster results and clearer images.  It’s also structured for easy access if tissue sampling is necessary.”

The Aurora System will be a component of the soon-to-be all-digital imaging center at The Toledo Hospital Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Center and will service the Toledo metro area including The Toledo Hospital, Flower Hospital, Bay Park Community Hospital and other Promedica hospitals and satellite imaging centers across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

“We are very proud that the accessibility of the Aurora System’s advanced breast imaging technology is continually expanding,” said Olivia Ho Cheng, president and chief executive officer, Aurora.  “It is an honor to provide Ohio the Aurora Breast MRI System through The Toledo Hospital to assist the region in its fight against breast cancer.”

About ProMedica Health System
ProMedica Health System, ranked one of the nation’s most integrated health systems, was formed in 1986 and is a Toledo, Ohio-based, not-for-profit health care organization with 15,000 employees, 70 corporations and joint ventures, 2,900 physicians and more than 282 sites in its 27-county service area in northwest and west central Ohio and in southeast Michigan. ProMedica treats more than 2.5 million patients annually and includes 10 hospitals; ProMedica Continuing Care Services with senior, rehabilitation and integrative services; ProMedica Physician Group, a large network of primary care, obstetrics, and specialist physicians; Paramount Health Care, the largest HMO in northwest Ohio; and the Health, Education and Research Corporation, with more than 200 academic relationships. For more information, please visit www.promedica.org.

About Aurora Imaging Technology Inc.
Aurora Imaging Technology Inc. (www.auroramri.com) is a private company based in North Andover, Mass. and committed to expanding the fight against breast cancer.  Aurora strives to manufacture the highest quality and most cost-effective breast MRI solutions and partners with a growing number of the nation's finest breast care centers to provide the ultimate in the detection, diagnosis (including biopsy) and treatment of breast cancer.  The Aurora Breast MRI System is in clinical use at a growing number of leading breast care centers in the U.S., Europe and Asia. 

Media Contact:            
Debbie Thomas
Aurora Imaging Technology Inc.
(978) 975-7530
dthomas@auroramri.com

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