Hudson, MA (March 13, 2008) Hypertronics Corporation, a Smiths Interconnect business and world-leading provider of high performance interconnect solutions for the most demanding applications, today announced the release of the ClearImage Series, a non-magnetic interconnect product line featuring contact kits and cable assemblies, to be used in the medical imaging industry. ClearImage is comprised of non-magnetic contacts, based on the Hypertac^® Technology, and cable assemblies designed specifically for MRI applications for high definition interconnections in imaging systems, beds, coils and other associated accessories.

The medical industry is developing MRI systems with higher magnetic strength to add even higher image definition and faster speeds. Prevention of image distortion in systems of higher field strength increases the requirements for non-magnetic components that are free of any material that could deform magnetic flux, such as iron, nickel and cobalt. Distorted images can lead to unreadable images―making it critical that the equipment components in the imaging area are comprised of non-magnetic materials.

Hypertronics' ClearImage non-magnetic contacts include offerings for power, signal and coax―each meeting or exceeding the magnetic permeability requirements for MRI usage. Hypertronics' high reliability contacts feature high cycle life and self-cleaning with low insertion force. Fretting is never an issue because ClearImage contacts are not affected by the shock and vibration. With patient health at risk, component failures in imaging systems are unacceptable as they lead to costly downtimes resulting in patient delays and discomforts. In addition, the use of ClearImage contacts lowers the cost of ownership by drastically reducing repair and replacement costs.

Hypertronics offers ClearImage Non-Magnetic contacts in various combination kits to fully accommodate R&D projects for system to coil interconnects, internal coil and bed applications and intermediary interconnect systems. Hypertronics' cable assemblies come preloaded with non-magnetic Hypertac contacts in 4, 8, 16 and 32 channel designs. Additionally, Hypertronics is an engineering-based company and offers custom solutions for your toughest MRI applications.