Global medical technology firm Time Medical has formally introduced the PICA Open MRI to the Philippines, marking the system’s first installation in the country and signaling a push toward more accessible, patient-centered diagnostic imaging.
Magnetic resonance imaging has long been a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling physicians to examine internal organs and detect brain disorders, ENT conditions, musculoskeletal and spinal problems, cancers, and other complex diseases with precision. Yet access remains uneven.
Fewer than 200 MRI systems are currently operating nationwide, limiting availability and driving up costs—particularly for patients in provincial and underserved areas.
Beyond access, comfort has also been a barrier. Traditional closed MRI systems require patients to lie inside a narrow, enclosed tunnel amid loud mechanical noise. Radiologists estimate that roughly one in five patients are unable to complete their scans due to anxiety, claustrophobia, or physical discomfort.
The PICA Open MRI is designed to address that gap.
Unlike conventional closed systems, the PICA features an open architecture that reduces the sense of confinement. The whole-body system is engineered for claustrophobic, elderly, pediatric, overweight, anxious, and mobility-restricted patients.
While prioritizing comfort, it is built on an advanced hardware platform with optimized clinical applications, enabling fast acquisition times and high-quality imaging comparable to many 1.5T MRI systems—yet with simpler maintenance requirements and lower operating costs.
Built around patients, not just performance
The PICA is the country’s first open MRI that does not require helium, a costly and increasingly scarce resource traditionally used in MRI cooling systems. Eliminating helium not only reduces operational complexity but also enhances sustainability, aligning clinical innovation with environmental responsibility.
For hospitals and imaging centers, the benefits are both clinical and operational. Fewer incomplete scans translate to better patient compliance, improved workflow efficiency, and a more welcoming diagnostic environment—without compromising diagnostic capability.
Smarter imaging through digital connectivity
The system goes beyond hardware. Integrated with a secure, HIPAA-compliant teleradiology platform and Open PACS developed by DigiHealth Specialists, the PICA enables high-resolution scans to be transmitted securely for remote interpretation.
This digital interoperability is particularly relevant in the Philippines, where radiologist shortages can delay turnaround times. By enabling remote reading and collaboration, the system allows provincial hospitals and growing health networks to expand diagnostic services without immediately scaling in-house specialist teams.
Globally engineered, locally relevant
Time Medical combines US-engineered technology with international certifications, including US FDA and CE markings, alongside Philippine FDA clearance, ensuring compliance with globally recognized safety and performance standards.
The company recently expanded manufacturing operations through a facility at the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ). Notably, one of the first exported units from the facility was delivered to the Philippines, making the country the recipient of the first Make-in-India MRI system exported beyond India.
Time Medical operates as a subsidiary of Fischer Medical Ventures. Group Chairman Ravi Govindan emphasized that imaging solutions must be tailored to local realities.
“MRI systems are not one-size-fits-all. Many countries, including the Philippines, are not able to maximize their healthcare potential because of the financial strain on both institutions and patients. Time Medical has products designed to help developing countries better address their medical imaging needs,” Govindan said.
Designed for forward-looking institutions
For hospital administrators, radiologists, and policymakers, the PICA Open MRI offers a balanced proposition: patient-friendly design, digital integration, international certification, operational efficiency, and competitive long-term investment value.
“Patients have already gone through a lot of stress with their sickness. A little comfort while going through the procedures helps. That’s what patient-centered care means,” said Time Medical Philippines CEO Joyce Socao, who also serves as the region’s patient safety ambassador.
As healthcare systems modernize and expand services, imaging technologies are increasingly expected to do more than produce diagnostic images. They must integrate into digital ecosystems, adapt to local constraints, and support sustainable growth.
With the introduction of the PICA Open MRI, Time Medical positions itself at the intersection of technology, accessibility, and patient experience—bringing a new model of imaging to a healthcare landscape that continues to evolve.