Intermagnetics’ subsidiary wins coil contract

MRI developer Intermagnetics General’s subsidiary, IGC-Medical Advances (IGC-MAI), has won an exclusive worldwide contract from coil developer UltraImage to distribute a new line of radio-frequency MRI coils. IGC-MAI and UltraImage will also collaborate on clinical applications packages for existing and future MRI applications.

IGC-MAI will market three UltraImage RF coils, all of which are compatible with existing MRI systems: a device for imaging the temporal lobe of the brain, a device for the bilateral brachial plexus, and a device for the carotid arteries. IGC-MAI expects to begin distributing the brain imaging coil early this year, pending clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. The two other coils should receive FDA clearance by the end of the year, according to Milwaukee, WI-based IGC-MAI. All three coils were introduced at November’s RSNA conference.

UltraImage, based in Redmond, WA, was established in 1997 to develop and market RF coils designed by researchers at the University of Washington’s department of radiology. The company is a subsidiary of Pathway Medical Technologies, a technology research and development company with a focus on medical devices.