Esaote O-scan: Dedicated Extremity MRI for Joints and Limbs
Authorized Esaote extremity MRI equipment supplier. The Esaote O-scan is a comfortable, non-claustrophobic system dedicated to clinical investigations of the joints and limbs. The patient sits beside the system while only the extremity under investigation is placed in the scanner. Its efficiency and economics make the O-scan an ideal solution as a standalone unit for specialty clinics or as an add-on alongside whole-body scanners in a radiology department, and it is a valuable resource for radiologists, orthopedists, sports medicine, hand clinics, podiatrists, and rheumatologists.
The O-scan delivers a complete range of high quality extremity imaging in an easy-to-install, easy-to-run package. It fits in about 9 square meters, draws roughly 1 kW, uses a helium-free permanent magnet, and supports up to 3 patients per hour. A low 59.7 dB acoustic noise level keeps exams calm, while the optional eXP technology platform, AgilExam slice auto alignment, Speed-Up acceleration, Metal Artifact Reduction, 3D SHARC cartilage imaging, and True-Motion dynamic imaging extend the diagnostic range.
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Dedicated Extremity Imaging, Ultra-Compact Footprint, and Comfort
The O-scan is defined by focus and efficiency. A dedicated extremity magnet, a patient who stays outside the bore, and a 9 square meter footprint set it apart from whole-body MRI. Full technical detail is in the expandable sections below.
Dedicated Extremity Imaging: a system purpose built for the joints and limbs, covering the knee, calf, ankle, foot, hand, wrist, finger, and elbow with dedicated coils and clinical sequences
Patient Outside the Magnet: the patient sits comfortably while only the extremity under investigation is placed in the scanner, so claustrophobia is never an issue
Low Acoustic Noise: a low 59.7 dB noise level reduces patient anxiety and creates a calm exam environment
Real-Time Positioning: real time acquisition lets the operator check patient positioning directly from the system monitor before the full scan
Stable for All Patients: a comfortable patient seat provides stable positioning that minimizes motion artifacts, which suits elderly and less mobile patients
High Throughput: simplified workflow supports up to 3 patients per hour for busy orthopedic and radiology settings
Ultra-Compact Installation: the complete system fits in a minimum of about 9 square meters, or 100 square feet, and installs in existing offices
Integrated RF Shielding: integrated shielding and a small 5 gauss zone remove the need for extensive room modifications, with room dimensions of about 3 by 4 meters with the RF cage
Helium-Free Permanent Magnet: no cryogens and low maintenance improve reliability and simplify installation
Eco-Efficient Power: low power consumption of roughly 1 kW and no dedicated electrical line keep running costs low
Lowest Break-Even Point: examination costs are significantly lower than whole-body superconducting or whole-body permanent magnet MRI
Remote Service: remote service capability lets Esaote specialists perform system checks and verify image quality to reduce downtime
How the O-scan compares against a whole-body MRI used for extremity exams:
The O-scan breaks the traditional barriers of MRI access. In a radiology department it works alongside whole-body scanners to divert suitable extremity cases, which reduces the waiting list and opens time slots for more complex or emergent examinations. In an orthopedic center it gives direct in-house access to MRI without a separate appointment, which saves time and cost while keeping the patient experience comfortable and calm.
Full Technical Specifications
Complete reference data for capital procurement, RFP submissions, and biomedical review. Radiology directors, orthopedic and sports medicine physicians, and biomedical engineers rely on this specification set when they evaluate a dedicated extremity MRI system. Expand each category for full detail.
| Magnet Type | Dedicated extremity permanent magnet, patient outside the magnet |
| Cryogens | Helium-free, no cooling system required |
| Footprint | Minimum about 9 square meters or 100 square feet |
| Room Dimensions | About 3 by 4 meters with the RF cage, 2.8 by 3.7 meters without |
| RF Shielding | Integrated RF shielding with a small 5 gauss zone, no major construction |
| Installation | Plug-and-play, no dedicated electrical line |
| Power Consumption | Roughly 1 kW |
| Throughput | Up to 3 patients per hour |
| Acoustic Noise | Low 59.7 dB noise level |
| Patient Setup | Comfortable patient seat, only the extremity placed in the system |
| Operating Cost | One of the lowest break-even points in MRI with low running costs |
| Platform | Optional eXP technology platform for advanced imaging |
| Speed-Up | Patented Speed-Up acceleration and TR reduction for higher throughput |
| Cartilage Sequence | 3D SHARC isotropic 0.4 mm voxels for multiplanar cartilage reconstruction |
| Bone Sequence | X-Bone imaging technique |
| Metal Artifact Reduction | MAR suppresses or reduces in-plane metal distortion for post-operative assessment |
| True-Motion | Optional True-Motion dynamic imaging of joint movement |
| Large Coils | Knee, calf, and ankle coils of large size (DPA) |
| Small Coils | Hand, wrist, and elbow coils of small size (DPA) |
| Extended Coils | Ankle, foot, hand, wrist, and elbow coils of large size (DPA) |
| Connection | Click-in system with no cables for reliable, easy use |
| Recognition | Automatic coil recognition |
| AgilExam | Optional three click slice auto alignment by laterality and anatomy size |
| Real-Time Monitor | Check patient positioning directly from the system monitor |
| Configurations | O-scan Light for routine volumes and O-scan Premium for high throughput and advanced imaging |
| Connectivity | Full DICOM for PACS and HIS, Patient CD, and integrated DVD archiving |
| Teleradiology | Remote reading and consultation with remote service capability |
Clinical Applications
Deployed across orthopedics, sports medicine, hand clinics, podiatry, rheumatology, and radiology where fast, comfortable, in-house extremity imaging shortens the path to diagnosis.
An orthopedic practice gains direct in-house MRI for the extremities without a separate appointment, which saves time and cost.
The O-scan works alongside whole-body scanners to divert routine extremity cases, reduce the waiting list, and free time for complex exams.
Optional True-Motion captures joint movement to evaluate impingement and ligament stability in professional grade sports medicine.
Dedicated small joint coils deliver exquisite detail for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis of the hand and wrist.
Large dedicated coils support high resolution imaging of the meniscus, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and the subtalar joint.
Metal Artifact Reduction suppresses distortion from metallic implants for accurate assessment of joint repairs.
From Comfortable Seating to a Reported Extremity Exam
An extremity MRI workflow built for speed and comfort. Simple seated positioning, AgilExam slice auto alignment, accelerated acquisition, and PACS connectivity move the case from setup to report. Expanded workflow details are in the expandable sections below.
The patient sits comfortably beside the system while only the extremity under investigation is placed in the scanner. Because the patient stays outside the magnet on a stable, comfortable seat, claustrophobia is not an issue and positioning is simple even for elderly or less mobile patients.
The operator checks patient positioning directly from the system monitor using Real-Time acquisition, then selects the examination from the AgilExam task list. AgilExam automatically positions the slices by laterality and anatomy size, so the operator simply checks and confirms before executing the protocol.
The optional eXP technology platform drives acquisition with patented Speed-Up and TR reduction to shorten scan time without losing quality. Dedicated sequences such as 3D SHARC isotropic 0.4 mm for cartilage, X-Bone, and Metal Artifact Reduction extend the diagnostic range, and optional True-Motion adds dynamic joint imaging.
Images route to PACS and hospital information systems through full DICOM connectivity, with Patient CD and integrated DVD archiving for portability. Teleradiology support enables remote reading and consultation, which is ideal for rural facilities and multi-site groups, while remote service keeps the system running.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety
FDA cleared as a dedicated extremity MRI system, manufactured by Esaote S.p.A. of Italy. Medical Outfitters is an ISO 13485:2016 certified supplier of imaging equipment, so every Esaote O-scan ships through a documented and audited quality management system. Full compliance documentation is available in the expandable sections below.
FDA Cleared: the Esaote O-scan extremity MRI system is FDA cleared.
ISO 13485: Medical Outfitters Inc. is independently ISO 13485:2016 certified as a supplier, so every system ships through a fully audited quality management system.
Manufacturer: the O-scan is manufactured by Esaote S.p.A. of Genova, Italy, one of the top diagnostic imaging providers globally.
Italian Design: the system reflects Italian design and engineering with a worldwide service and applications network. Some features and packs are optional and configuration dependent.
Sustainable MRI: a helium-free permanent magnet with low power consumption and minimal installation requirements supports a sustainable, low cost installation.
RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances compliant.
REACH: EU REACH chemical regulation compliant.
Site Planning & Installation Review
Tell us your room dimensions and extremity caseload. Our team confirms the 9 square meter fit, the coil and software configuration including AgilExam, and coordinates installation and training.
Capital Equipment & RFP Support
Pricing, technical documentation, and logistics for extremity MRI deployments. We support radiology directors, orthopedic and sports medicine practices, and purchasing departments evaluating dedicated MRI systems. Contact us for RFP packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common purchase and clinical questions about the Esaote O-scan extremity MRI system. Tap any question to expand.
The Esaote O-scan is a dedicated extremity MRI system for imaging the joints and limbs. The patient sits comfortably while only the extremity under investigation is placed in the scanner, which makes the exam non-claustrophobic. Its efficiency and small footprint make it an ideal standalone unit for specialty clinics or an add-on alongside whole-body scanners in a radiology department.
The O-scan is dedicated to the extremities, including the knee, calf, ankle, foot, hand, wrist, finger, and elbow. Dedicated click-in multichannel coils are designed for each anatomy, and clinical sequences cover cartilage, ligament, tendon, and bone imaging. The O-scan does not image the spine or whole body, since it is purpose built for limbs and joints.
The O-scan is a compact, low cost system dedicated only to the extremities, where the patient stays outside the magnet. A whole-body MRI images the entire body inside a large bore, and the Esaote G-scan Open is a weight-bearing system that also images the spine under load. Many sites run an O-scan alongside a whole-body or weight-bearing scanner to divert routine extremity cases and free up time for complex examinations.
AgilExam is a three click advanced software package for slice auto alignment. It automatically positions the slices, both in angulation and number, according to the laterality and size of the anatomy. The operator positions the patient with the Real-Time monitor, selects the examination from the AgilExam task list, then checks and confirms the automatic slice positioning, which speeds up workflow and improves consistency.
The O-scan fits in a minimum of about 9 square meters, or 100 square feet, and installs in existing offices with integrated RF shielding and a small 5 gauss zone. It is a plug-and-play system with low power consumption of roughly 1 kW, needs no helium or cryogens, and has minimal installation and maintenance requirements, which gives it one of the lowest break-even points in MRI.
Yes. With the O-scan the patient is completely outside the magnet and remains seated in a comfortable patient seat while only the limb is inserted, so claustrophobia is not an issue. The low 59.7 dB acoustic noise level and Real-Time positioning further reduce anxiety and make the exam accessible for elderly and less mobile patients.
Yes. The Esaote O-scan extremity MRI system is FDA cleared. Medical Outfitters Inc. is ISO 13485:2016 certified as the supplying distributor, so every system ships through an audited quality management system. The O-scan is a helium-free permanent magnet system manufactured by Esaote S.p.A. of Italy.
Through Medical Outfitters Inc., ISO 13485:2016 certified, Miami, FL. We supply systems with nationwide installation support, site planning, and training, backed by the Esaote global service network. Call (305) 885-4045 or request a quote online.
Compatible Equipment
Other MRI systems to consider alongside the O-scan, from the Esaote G-scan Open weight-bearing MRI for the spine and joints to the wide bore Fujifilm Echelon Synergy and the helium independent Echelon Smart ZeroHelium.
Fujifilm Echelon Smart ZeroHelium
1.5T MRI · sealed magnet · helium independent · flexible siting
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