With a 29.5-inch opening, the new MRI scanner not only eases claustrophobia fears, but also accommodates patients up to 550 pounds (compared to 400 pounds with other open MRI scanners).

The Open MRI scanner, engineered and developed by Paramed, is the only superconductive scanner that is completely open above, in front and behind the patient.

The new MRI scanner also can be used on patients with implants or devices, whereas the old, open-sided machine could not. They plan to have it up and running by September 1.

The 61-year-old was wearing a 9kg chain he uses for weight training when he entered the exam room to help his wife get off ...