FONAR Corporation (NASDAQ:FONR), The Inventor of MR Scanning™, reported today that George L. Rodriguez, M.D., CEO of University Dynamic MRI, in Philadelphia, has purchased a third FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI. Dr. Rodriguez is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician and graduate of nearby University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and CEO of Philadelphia based Injury Rehabilitation Centers of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Rodriguez said, “During a careful investigation of the FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI for my first purchase in 2004, I realized that UPRIGHT® imaging would become the ‘GOLD STANDARD’ of MRI for evaluating soft tissue structure and function. I now work with two machines on a daily basis and feel stronger than ever about this prediction. It is simply a matter of time and education of physicians before UPRIGHT® imaging attains wider recognition. What is obvious to some, that gravity affects soft tissues in measurable ways, is not always obvious to others. For these others, only extensive medical research will change their minds.” (To read Dr. Rodriguez’s first press release, visit: www.fonar.com/news/110404.htm)
Dr. Rodriguez continued, “Having now purchased three Stand-up Open MRIs from FONAR, I join an elite group of owners who see this ‘new’ technology as scientifically valuable and investment worthy.” There are currently 13 customers who own 3 or more FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRIs and this represents nearly one half (47%) of all UPRIGHT® MRI sales to date.
Dr. Rodriguez explained, “Many of our scans are of the spine, and we find a higher number of disc injuries simply by having a patient sit or stand. But we use the FONAR UPRIGHT® MRI in new and exciting ways which cannot be reproduced by any other MRI machine in the world. We take advantage of the vertical openness and movable coils of the UPRIGHT® MRI to obtain sequences that are simply unheard of in other MRIs - both open and closed. For example, we have studied rotator cuffs while ‘tugging’ on the shoulder with an elastic band held by the patient in the hand. We image knees in the kneeling position. Because of the UPRIGHT® MRI’s speed of data retrieval, we can ask patients to withstand certain painful positions for short periods, and then we can study the exact anatomical alignments of movable internal soft tissue structures, such as ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and synovium – again something never before possible.”
“Additionally,” Dr. Rodriguez underscored, “the quality of the images in this 0.6 T unit often surpasses those obtainable from 1.5 T closed MRI units. As a psysiatrist, a ‘function specialist,’ the dynamic image assessment achieved only by the UPRIGHT® MRI, impossible with recumbent-only units, provide me with natural and realistic views of the body never before seen in medicine. This dynamic information can help the doctor pinpoint the relationship between anatomy and function and define what is causing the problem in the patient’s motion - for example, shoulder pain that occurs only when throwing a ball, but not when lying down. The excellence of image quality achieved by FONAR is a testimony to their many patented technological advances aimed at establishing UPRIGHT® MRI as the ‘GOLD STANDARD’ for imaging the spine.”
“Without doubt,” continued Dr. Rodriguez, “most conditions requiring surgery where an MRI is needed before an operation, are amply discernable by the FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI, which can replace the need for an additional and costly closed MRI before surgery.”
“The FONAR UPRIGHT® MRI has helped University Dynamic MRI, the diagnostic division of Injury Rehabilitation Centers of Pennsylvania, enjoy rapid acceptance and growth in Philadelphia,” said Dr. Rodriguez. “I feel that the technology of UPRIGHT® imaging, which reveals the body’s anatomy in positions of function, is a natural fit for any center specializing in trauma or injury.”
The Inventor of MR Scanning™, Full Range of Motion™, pMRI™, Multi-Position™, True Flow™ and The Proof is in the Picture™ are trademarks and UPRIGHT® and STAND-UP® are registered trademarks of FONAR Corporation.
Be sure to visit FONAR’s Website for product and investor information: www.fonar.com
This release may include forward-looking statements from the company that may or may not materialize. Additional information on factors that could potentially affect the company's financial results may be found in the company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
Daniel Culver, 631-694-2929
Fax: 631-390-1709
http://www.fonar.com
invest2007@fonar.com
