Varian Selects RTI Messaging Middleware for MRI and NMR Products

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 30, 2007 -- SANTA CLARA, CA,�April 30, 2007� Real-Time Innovations (RTI), The Real-Time Middleware Experts, announced today that its high-performance messaging middleware has been selected for use in Varian�s nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) product lines. Varian is using RTI�s middleware to connect sensors, user display systems and control computers within the NMR and MRI instruments.

NMR technology allows scientists to analyze the chemical structure of complex molecules by exciting proton magnetic vibrations in the presence of a strong magnetic field. MRI uses the same technique to develop a non-invasive image of soft body tissues. MRI is one of the most important medical imaging technologies used by hospitals worldwide.

�During our evaluation, we tested performance extensively. It passed our throughput tests and matched our bandwidth requirements. It also let us develop a new architecture that scales to multiple processors,� said Phil Hornung, the Varian fellow who managed the project. �RTI delivered great functionality at low cost. Using RTI middleware saved us a lot of money, time and effort compared to our previous in-house developed solution.�

The new Varian NMR System features parallel controllers for each transmitter and receiver channel, providing pulse-sequence programming power while combining full functionality with ease of use. Supported by the highly acclaimed VnmrJ software for data acquisition and processing, the Varian NMR System is the optimal spectrometer for methods development and routine applications.

When Varian needed a new software architecture to seamlessly handle its expanding product line of NMR and MRI instruments, Varian chose RTI middleware to connect the up to 16 receiver sensors, radio-frequency (RF) generators, and user-interface and control computers. NMR and MRI generate copious data; the flow rates would be sufficient to saturate the Gigabit Ethernet backbone without a careful design.

RTI middleware provided the flexible and powerful quality of service that Varian needed to deliver the data where needed. RTI middleware also connected the real-time computers running the VxWorks real-time operating system with the control and user systems running on UNIX or Linux workstations. Varian is today shipping RTI middleware in its entire NMR Instruments product line, including the advanced Varian 400-MR and research-grade VNMRS spectrometers and the Varian MRI System, with options ranging from small-bore imagers for limbs or animals to full-body research instruments.

�Varian selected RTI because it greatly simplified system integration and connectivity,� said Greg Brissey, lead software engineer for NMR Instruments.

�Varian has a deserved reputation for advanced, cost-effective scientific instruments,� said Stan Schneider, chief executive officer at RTI.