HOSMAT, the 100 bed Hospital for Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, Arthritis, Trauma and Neuroscience, a unit of the Physicare Healthcare Services Private Limited, has installed an Open MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) equipment to provide patients less traumatic experience and cheaper diagnosis when compared to the traditional MRI equipment. The cost of the equipment is Rs two crore. The equipment, which is relatively new, is from Wipro GE Medical Systems where the company manufactures the MR tables, which are designed and executed at its factory in Whitefield in the outskirts of Bangalore, but imports the remaining parts of the equipment. This installation is a first-of-its-kind in Karnataka. So far the company has made around 15 installations in the country.

The GE Signa OpenSpeed high field open MRI scanner helps provides doctors with improved patient information in a patient-friendly "open" environment. The introduction of a powerful new high-field open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system allows doctors to scan patients three times faster. The equipment combines the immense power of MRI technology in a comfortable system design that accommodates the needs of all patients, including large patients and those who suffer from claustrophobia. The safe, non-invasive nature of MRI makes it very popular with patients, and the open MRI systems provides a less confining feel than traditional MRI systems where scans are abandoned due to patient anxiety.

Dr. Ajith Benedict Rayan, assistant administrator and RMO, HOSMAT told Pharmabiz.com that the new equipment was a big relief for patients. The cost for the patient is Rs. 4,900, which is less than the traditional MRI scan which is around Rs. 8,000 in hospitals in the city.

HOSMAT has also invested in a bone densitor meter to check the density of bones on patients suffering from osteoporosis and arthritis apart from an Echo Cardio Gram for heart patients suffering from neuro or orthopaedic problems and C-Arm for orthopaedic surgeons to carry out surgeries without incision of the fractured site. For sports medicine, the hospital has the KT-1000 equipment, which gives the report on cruciated ligament tear. The equipment is more powerful than x-rays which fail to detect the ligament tears in most sports injury cases. There is also ENMG (electro-neuro-milo-gram) for nerve condition study.

The hospital is known for joint replacements of the hip, knee, shoulder and fingers. For joint replacements, the hospital is equipped with an arthroscopy (endoscopy) for knee and shoulder injuries. There is also a clinic for osteoporosis, rheumatology and immunology. Arthritis Foundation of India is based at HOSMAT. The physiotherapy and rehabilitation department offers home care physiotherapies for all therapies.