Founded in 2000 by Dr Nick Bolas, and working alongside a highly-skilled team, some of whom remain with the company today, Hallmarq pioneered the development of the world’s only MRI scanner for the standing, sedated horse. Key personnel, each with over 20 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of clinical MRI systems, worked to install the first Standing Equine MRI system at Bell Equine, Kent, UK in January 2002.
The original 0.21T magnet proved that standing equine MRI was indeed feasible, but it needed fine-tuning in order to capture the critical images demanded by veterinarians. Refinements saw an increase in the magnet’s field strength to 0.27T and, from this point forward, lameness diagnosis was revolutionized. Building on that initial success, and a strong partnership with our early customers, the Research and Development team continued to improve the scanner, resulting in a major upgrade programme and rebranding to EQ2 some four years later.
With this unique product firmly established, Hallmarq more recently developed their 1.5T high-field MRI system designed specifically with the small animal in mind. More recently, we have partnered with Canon Medical Systems (formerly Toshiba Medical) to bring CT to the small animal veterinarian in the UK.
The company’s continued focus on delivering exactly what the veterinarian demands, along with meticulous attention to detail, has resulted in industry recognition. The Institute of Physics awarded us with their highly-coveted Innovation Award for our motion correction software. In addition, dual Queen’s Awards for Enterprise; in Innovation and International Trade, recognise our commitment to continued growth.
Almost twenty years later, and with 100 veterinary MRI systems installed in 24 countries worldwide, we continue our collaboration with the veterinary industry to deliver advanced imaging solutions for improved animal health.
