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Well known as a pioneer when it comes to diagnosing
lameness Sue Dyson of The Animal Health Trust is also
a huge supporter of Standing MRI.
Said Sue: “I started to take an interest in
Standing MRI about 15 years ago, but at the time thought
it would never be possible. “However thanks
to new technology and research which paved the way
for improved methods and systems we have all been
fortunate to see the increasing use of Standing MRI
around the world. “This has revolutionised our
knowledge of the causes of foot pain over the last
10 years and also enabled us to recognise other causes
of pain in the fetlock, carpal and hock regions of
which we had previously been unaware.”
Marking a decade of success the team recognise just
how far they have come over the last 10 years. Said
Jos Belgrave of Hallmarq: “We have seen major
advancements in the way lameness is diagnosed since
we started with the first research at Hallmarq in
1998 and the first system in 2001. “We are delighted
that Hallmarq MRI has grown into a major success story
and become a significant high-tech export business.”
Hallmarq MRI started with a small team of physicists
who set out to prove Standing Equine MRI was both
technically and commercially possible. Following growth
and development and recognition of the breakthrough,
Hallmarq MRI now have 50 systems worldwide.
Company founder Nick Bolas tells how the company started:
"As a horse owner working in the magnetic resonance
industry I knew enough about horse behaviour, lameness,
and MRI system engineering to believe that Standing
MRI should be technically possible and would be a
tremendous clinical advance. “A serious illness
of my own horse introduced me to some world-class
vets enthusiastic to try out the idea, just at the
time other opportunities arose that made it economically
feasible. Two years later we had the first diagnostic
images." Added Jos: “We are delighted to
reach this milestone, and we will carry on striving
to ensure rapid diagnosis of lameness. “Celebrating
our 10th Anniversary is very exciting and we look
forward to major new advancements over the next 10
years.”
The 50th system was recently installed at Northwest
Equine Performance Clinic in Oregon USA.
“MRI was something we believed we needed to
offer our clients,” said Sue Emerson, associate
veterinarian for NWEP. “We specifically chose
the Hallmarq standing system because it offers virtually
all of the diagnostic abilities of other systems that
require full anesthesia, with none of the significant
risks.”
The Development of Standing Equine MRI
1998 to 2001 – Concept and establishment
of Hallmarq MRI.
2001 to 2003 – Development of the first clinically
diagnostic system, including replacement of the very
first prototype magnet with a larger design.
2003 to 2006 – First 28 installations in seven
countries.
2006 to 2007 – Development of new model EQ2
and roll-out of upgrade to all installed sites. Installation
in Newmarket at Animal Health Trust and Rossdales.
2007 to 2011 – Installation of 50th system and
more than 22,000 horses scanned.
For further information contact
Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging on (01483) 877812 or visit
www.hallmarq.net
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