IMRIS Horseshoe headrest named Life Sciences Alley New Technology Showcase winner

Intraoperative neurosurgical imaging solutions from IMRIS among featured medical technologies at upcoming November conference in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - IMRIS Inc. (NASDAQ: IMRS; TSX: IM) ("IMRIS" or the "Company") today announced that its horseshoe headrest has been selected one of 10 New Technology Showcase Winners by Twin Cities-based Life Sciences Alley (LSA), the nation's largest regional medical industry association. The first MR-safe and CT-compatible horseshoe headrest was introduced in February and will be among the products featured at the LSA Health Technology Leadership Conference on Nov. 19 in Minneapolis.

"Our products are the result of a core competency in designing patient-centered intraoperative imaging solutions. Leading pediatric neurosurgeons provided strong insights for developing this product and now those who have adopted it are serving a patient population not previously treated in the VISIUS^® Surgical Theatre for anticipated improved outcomes," said Jay D. Miller, IMRIS President and CEO. "We look forward to sharing our headrest and other intraoperative imaging solutions with international industry professionals at the LSA conference."

For procedures within the VISIUS^® Surgical Theatre, the horseshoe headrest provides non-pinned patient head support in prone, lateral, and supine positions during head, neck and cervical spine surgeries where use of a head fixation device (HFD) - a clamp-like device - is not desirable because the skull is too fragile for pinning. These patients may be babies whose skulls are still soft or older patients with weakened skull bones.

The headrest also was specially designed for use with the new IMRIS InSitu™ wireless coil, a sterile, wireless, ultra-lightweight, and disposable imaging coil that eliminates the need to manage cables and heavy imaging coils typically draped and removed between intraoperative scans.

Inside a VISIUS Surgical Theatre equipped with either high-field intraoperative MRI (iMRI) or 64-slice intraoperative Computed Tomography (iCT), surgeons have on-demand access to real-time diagnostic quality imaging during the procedure and from the operating room table as the scanner uniquely moves to the patient on ceiling-mounted rails. VISIUS iMRI provides neurosurgeons the ability to assess and decide to perform further resection for removing as much tumor as possible by clearly visualizing tumor and healthy brain tissue which otherwise are hard to differentiate.

For more information on Life Science Alley and the Health Technology Leadership Conference, see www.lifesciencealley.com.

About IMRIS
IMRIS (NASDAQ: IMRS; TSX: IM) is a global leader in providing image guided therapy solutions through its VISIUS Surgical Theatre - a revolutionary, multifunctional surgical environment that provides unmatched intraoperative vision to clinicians to assist in decision making and enhance precision in treatment. The multi-room suites incorporate diagnostic quality high-field MR, CT and angio modalities accessed effortlessly in the operating room setting. VISIUS Surgical Theatres serve the neurosurgical, spinal, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular markets and have been selected by 61 leading medical institutions around the world.

SOURCE IMRIS Inc.

Image with caption: "The IMRIS Horseshoe Headrest is an option for non-pinned patient head support during neurosurgical procedures within the VISIUS Surgical Theatre with intraoperative MRI. (CNW Group/IMRIS Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140930_C9830_PHOTO_EN_42916.jpg