Advanced Technology
What does “cutting-edge technology” mean to us?
For our patients, it’s the confidence that tests are done right the first time. It’s accurate diagnoses that enable the right treatment—especially when time is of the essence.
For our providers, it means confidence in the interpretation, without hesitation. It means diagnosing accurately and putting a patient at ease after days or weeks of worry.
MRI Technology
Shields uses only the top-tier MRI equipment from the leading manufacturers for advanced imaging technology. In fact, we have more 1.5T open bore MRIs than any other provider in Massachusetts.
Read more in our blog post: “What patients want to know about MRI machines: 1.2T, 1.5T, 3T, what’s the difference?”
Our MRI equipment includes:
- 1.5T high-field MRI:
Today, the gold standard for MRI in a clinical setting is a 1.5T high-field MRI scanner. A 1.5T machine is faster than lower-strength MRIs and is ideal for abdomens and chest MRI scans (where patients are asked to hold their breath for the MRI sequence). A 1.5T magnet has a greater signal than a 1.2T or lower strength magnet, which means it can produce higher-quality images in less time. Shields offers 1.5T high-field MRI scanners at every location in our network.
Find a Shields location offering 1.5T high-field MRI options.
- 1.5T high-field open-bore MRI:
The 1.5T high-field open bore MRI offers a wide, “open” bore that can accommodate patients of almost any size and ease patient anxiety over being in an enclosed space, while still preserving image quality.
Find a Shields location offering 1.5T high-field open MRI options.
- 3T high-field MRI:
3T high-field MRI is the newest and most powerful MRI technology for patients. 3T MRI scanners can provide extremely clear and vivid images and can often be done faster, decreasing overall scan time. A 3T machine isn’t always best for every kind of imaging, but it’s ideal for imaging small bones, breast MRI, musculoskeletal MRI, neurological MRI, and vascular MRI, where the minute details are especially crucial to diagnosis.
Find a Shields location offering 3T high-field MRI options.
- 3T high-field open-bore MRI:
The 3T high-field open bore machine provides the same top-of-the-line image clarity and definition as a 3T machine, with the added benefit of a wide, open bore for patient comfort.
Find a Shields location offering 3T high-field open MRI options. - 1.2T open-sided MRI:
The 1.2T Hitachi open-sided MRI provides clear, high-quality images while offering 270 degrees of unobstructed views to create a comfortable, open experience for those patients who are highly anxious about their MRI. This machine is only available at our Brighton, MA location.
Most of Shields’ MRI machines include all of the following features:
- Weight allowance of 450 to 550 pounds
- Two-way speakers for ongoing communication with your technologist
- Satellite radio
- Soft mattresses with head support
- Shorter-length bore to let in more light (with open-bore options that offer the most head room: 70 centimeters)
- 5 to 2 times faster scan times than lower-strength MRI
It’s simple: Superior medical equipment means better diagnostic information for expert interpretations, resulting in better patient outcomes.
Get back to full strength faster. Choose Shields MRI.
PET/CT Technology
A powerful tool in the battle against cancer.
Today, PET/CT technology is regarded as the most powerful tool to accurately depict and measure the metabolic function of cancer—and Shields invests in the very best PET/CT technology for our patients.
PET/CT technology combines PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and CT (Computed Tomography). Shields PET/CT offers the top-of-the-line, premiere technology from Philips and GE, featuring 16-slice options. We proudly feature one of very few PET/CT units in the Northeast that offers advanced features and technology, resulting in extremely crisp images that are clearer than those of traditional units.