GE Healthcare gets nod for new 3.0T MR Scanner

16 May 2008

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green signal to GE Healthcare for its new 3.0T magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, the latest addition to GE’s Signa family of MR systems.

The new Signal MR750 3.0T was introduced at the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine in Toronto. This system is equipped with most powerful gradients, easy-to-use workflow features and advanced Thermal Management System. It will deliver up to 60 percent additional anatomical coverage and resolution unit per time.

The system also allows for up to five times the imaging performance over previous generations, increasing the freedom for advanced application development, including: a routine liver exam in 15 minutes and a full breast exam in only two sequences. The new equipment is expected to push GE’s MRI capability.

According to Jim Davis, vice president and general manager of GE Healthcare’s MR business this product will be a robust and clinically capable MR system that will simplify MR exams without compromising quality or productivity. It features a newly designed RF Transmit system maximizing performance with a 17 percent gain in scanning efficiency.

In addition, the system includes the GE-exclusive Optical RF Technology that adds up to 27 percent higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over conventional, non-optical MR receivers by reducing electrical noise and increasing signal detection. In efforts to improve full-body imaging on 3.0T MR, GE Healthcare’s Signa MR750 features a newly developed parallel imaging technique entitled ARC, Auto Calibrating Reconstruction for Cartesian imaging. In addition to reducing specific absorption rate (SAR), the ARC technique also improves body imaging by allowing auto calibration and less sensitive field of view.

The Signa MR750 features automated acquisition based on the concept of touch and go protocols. The aspect of the system allows for more focused attention on the patient and consistent protocols and processing across operating technicians.