UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital’s new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner goes live next week, offering patients a more comfortable experience and quicker scan times.

The Siemens Magnetom Biomatrix Altea reduces scan times by 51% and features a wider bore and QUIET Suite imaging technology, which lowers sound pressure levels by at least 70%, helping to reduce anxiety and claustrophobia.

“This new scanner will provide for more appointment availability and offer our patients high-quality imaging conveniently right here in Dubuque,” said Charlye Jenkins, imaging manager. “This scanner will allow us to continue to provide an exceptional patient experience.”

MRI scanners use magnets and radio waves to generate detailed images of soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, and the brain. The new machine offers technology that reduces the distortion from MRI-safe implants as well as motion correction to further enhance image quality. The new scanner also has an increased weight limit of 550 pounds.