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Le Bonheur Children';s Medical Center purchases IMRISneuro

^{Published on 2009-09-03 08:25:30 - Market Wire}
 

 First 3T Intra-operative MRI Suite for Pediatric Neurosurgery WINNIPEG, Sept. 3 /CNW/ - IMRIS Inc. (TSX: IM) ("IMRIS" or the "Company") today announced the sale of its flagship product, IMRISneuro, to Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center. Neurosurgeons from the collaborative brain tumor program at Le Bonheur and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the largest research-based pediatric brain tumor program in the United States, will use this leading-edge technology to perform life-saving brain tumor surgery. Currently under construction, the Le Bonheur state-of-the-art neurosurgical facility, partially funded by a donation from St. Jude to further both organizations' charitable missions, will house the IMRISneuro system when the facility opens in 2010. This will be the first 3T intra-operative MR for pediatric neurosurgery in North America. IMRISneuro provides timely, high resolution MR images to the medical team before, during and after an operation without moving the patient from the surgical table. The wide bore 3T MRI will move between an operating theatre and a diagnostic facility, providing state-of-the-art, multi-functional capabilities to the hospital's neuroscience facility. No other system offers the same degree of safety for both the patient and the surgical environment. IMRISneuro does not require the patient to be transported for scanning, so the optimum position for neurosurgery is never compromised. Clinical workflow and surgical access to the patient is not impacted and the magnet is removed completely from the operating room when scanning is complete. The IMRISneuro system provides neurosurgeons with timely images during surgery from which they are able to make better decisions for their patients. About IMRIS IMRIS (TSX: IM) is a global leader in providing fully integrated, advanced surgical imaging solutions. The company's flagship product, IMRISneuro, utilizes patented technology that allows a high field MRI scanner to be moved in to the operating room on demand, providing imaging during the surgical procedure without compromising patient safety. This unique and innovative system has been validated by leading neurosurgeons for use in world-class neuroscience centers. About Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center Founded in 1952, Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center is the Mid-South's first and only comprehensive pediatric medical facility. Every year Le Bonheur treats almost 140,000 children from throughout the United States and many countries. Le Bonheur is home to one of the nation's 10 busiest pediatric emergency departments and hosts one of the largest pediatric surgical brain tumor programs. Le Bonheur is building a new state-of-the art hospital. The $340-million facility is scheduled to open in 2010 and will significantly increase the space for patient care, research and teaching. About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. 

For further information: visit [ www.imris.com ] or contact: Media, Michael Robbie, Director, Marketing, Tel: (204) 480-7696, Email: [ mrobbie@imris.com ]; Investors, Brad Woods, Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, Tel: (204) 480-7094, Email: [ bwoods@imris.com ]