UP Health System – Portage Brings the Latest Innovation in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to the Copper Country

UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage) is pleased to add a new, state-of-the-art MRI scanner to its Radiology Department, providing greater flexibility, improved patient comfort and exceptional image quality that can aid in a more confident diagnosis.

The new MRI scanner provides remarkable image sharpness, with greater anatomy detail due to the reduction in artifacts and background noise. The adaptive coils can accommodate patients of all sizes, providing more options for positioning during scans and a more comfortable experience overall.

Our team of imaging professionals now have the improved ability to examine the prostate, allowing timely diagnosis for prostate cancer and other disease. Improved resolution and detail for breast MRI is an additional benefit and an important step in diagnosing breast cancer in addition to mammography. With UPHS – Portage’s new technology, patients will not have to travel far from home for high-quality imaging services.

“The new MRI is a significant upgrade from our prior scanner with increased quality and confidence in diagnosis due to less noise and sharper images,” said Radiologist Paul Lyle, MD, Ph.D. “It also allows for an expansion in the type of scans we can provide and significantly decreases the time a patient has to spend in the MRI making a more comfortable experience.”

MRI Is an important diagnostic tool that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed, high-resolution images of a patient’s organs and body tissue. The technique is noninvasive — patients generally lay still on their back in the scanner, a large, tube-shaped vessel retrofitted with large magnets, for several minutes while the images are produced. It’s a noninvasive way for healthcare providers to examine the inside of the body for clues to help diagnose a variety of conditions, from tumors, stroke and brain injuries to irregularities in organs like the liver and kidneys. 

Some patients require sedation during an MRI. Within the scope of this improvement project, the radiology department has also enhanced the MR safe sedation monitoring equipment, providing additional support to patients undergoing a scan.

UPHS – Portage’s highly skilled team of radiologists and imaging technologists have worked diligently to ensure a smooth implementation of the new MRI equipment, ensuring no gaps in coverage through the use of a mobile MRI unit during the construction phase.

“We’ve invested significant time, energy and effort into bringing this new technology to our facility, training staff on proper use and welcoming our patients in for this improved experience,” said Director of Radiology Renee Heltunen. “We believe our patients and community will benefit for years to come from having access to this service.”  

For more information on the radiology services available at UPHS – Portage, visit UPHealthSystem.com.