Second in Turkey: Artificial intelligence-supported MRI device will serve twice as many patients

An MRI unit supported by artificial intelligence was put into service in Kastamonu by the Ministry of Health. The device, which is the second of its kind in Turkey, will be able to serve twice as many patients.

Upon the requests of Kastamonu Governorship and Kastamonu Provincial Health Directorate, an artificial intelligence supported MRI unit was established in Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital by the Ministry of Health. A ceremony was held for the commissioning of the artificial intelligence-supported MRI unit in Kastamonu, the second in Turkey after Çanakkale.

“Artificial intelligence supported MRI device is the second device in Turkey after Çanakkale”

Speaking at the ceremony, Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine Dean and Chief Physician of Training and Research Hospital Prof. Dr. Zafer Ergül said, “We tendered with the authorization given by the Ministry of Health. The artificial intelligence-supported MRI device was previously installed in Çanakkale, the second device in our hospital. We will see twice as many patients as normal. Within 15 days, we will reduce the MRI appointment to the same day. This device, which has a silent MRI feature, will be a great advantage especially for patients with claustrophobia. It has a flexible, lightweight and high channel capacity Air Coil system. The antenna part, which we used to cover the patient, will now cover the whole body of the patient and will provide this without any weight. Thanks to the high homogeneous magnet, we will get a quality image. Like devices that can take 3-digit images, this 1.5-digit device will provide us with the same image. There is bone imaging technology. It will guide us in measuring bone density and detecting bone pathologies, especially in children and pregnant women. It will provide a signal from deep tissue with Multidrive RF technology. It will calculate liver fat ratio. It has the ability to diffuse in small areas with Focus technology. Thanks to its high gradient power, we will be able to take thin-section images. Hopefully, we will not miss anything anymore. At the same time, when the patient enters the device, we will be able to perform a whole body MRI at the same time if we wish.”

“Please be examined by your family physician first”

Governor Meftun Dallı said, “We have established the family medicine system in Turkey. It is working very well as of now, but in general, we have an approach like letting our people be examined by a specialist doctor or a professor. But in order for the system to work, it is necessary to start from the lowest level and work upwards as needed. This is how the system is planned and if it works like this, it will be successful. All of us should respect this and please go to your family doctor first. Let your family doctor see you. If there is a problem that he/she cannot solve, he/she will refer you. When the family doctor refers you, you will be examined by our friends here. If they cannot solve it, they send you to Ankara and Istanbul. If we abide by this, we will be able to maintain this good level we have reached in health by carrying it to further points. But if we all pile up at the Training and Research Hospital, we also violate the rights of those in need. In a sense, it is a right of servant and the system works hard. So we are forcing it, there is no need for that. This device will definitely make a great contribution to diagnoses from now on. Our patients will receive a much better service,” he said.

“We want to bring the inpatient AMATEM center to our province”

Stating that they have established dialysis units in 11 districts of Kastamonu, Governor Dallı said, “God willing, we will make it 12 or even 15. It is really a big problem for dialysis patients who have to go to other places without dialysis in Pınarbaşı. This problem is solved on the spot. Another issue we are now pursuing is to establish an inpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment center (AMATEM). It may not be considered very necessary, but there is a great expectation in the public opinion. Hopefully, if we bring an inpatient AMATEM to our city together, we will solve the problems not only for our city but also for a few provinces around us. We know and see the suffering and troubles of families in this regard. I hope we will be successful in that too,” he said.