New MR Technology Designed for Improved Patient Experience

Two new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are designed with proprietary coil technology that is intuitive and easy for technologists to use without sacrificing image quality. This is also combined with a new low-height table for easy patient access, even for larger patients.

On November 27, 2012, at the Radiology Society of North American (RSNA) 2012 Scientific Assembly and annual meeting, GE Healthcare (Chalfont St. Giles, UK) introduced two new 1.5T MR systems--the Optima MR360 Advance and Brivo MR355 Inspire, that were both designed to tackle the demand for increased patient comfort, increased productivity, and decreased total cost of ownership under the GE guiding principle of Humanizing MR.

The Optima MR360 Advance is a 1.5T system that is engineered to enhance the patient’s MR experience while improving productivity and clinical effectiveness. This system’s technology is designed to balance optimal workflow capabilities and a wide range of clinical applications, while improving the patient’s MR experience.

GE MR’s Caring Design is hospitable for the patient and intuitive for the technologist; the exclusive Needle-Free Suite of clinical applications can help reduce the need for biopsy, contrast, and sedation for patients. The system is intended to offer 16-channels and newly designed RF coils that further improve image quality and productivity.

The Brivo MR355 Inspire is a practical and easy-to-use 1.5T MR system with a wide range of clinical applications that will enhance the diagnostic effectiveness for clinicians, with intuitive workflow and a user interface that enhances productivity. This system is engineered to combine the diagnostic advantages of sophisticated MR technology with a low total cost of ownership. The Brivo MR355 Inspire also features the new Caring Design to improve patient comfort.

Both systems are designed to feature the OpTix Optical radiofrequency (RF) technology, which offers a high channel count, analog to digital signal conversion where it is needed--inside the scan room to minimize signal degradation and noise, but away from the patient to enhance comfort and safety. OpTix provides up to 27% higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over other traditional, analog signal receivers, improving clinical effectiveness and image quality.

Both systems are engineered to use ecomagination-qualified technologies such as efficient gradients, super capacitors, water-cooling, and a power distribution unit with a 28% lower energy rating, reducing energy consumption by 34% compared to earlier generations.

“With GE’s 30 years of experience in MR innovation and refinement, the Optima MR360 Advance and Brivo MR355 Inspire are built on the high-definition MR platform our customers know and trust,” said Richard Hausmann, president and CEO of GE Healthcare’s magnetic resonance business. “These systems are designed to enhance productivity and patient experience with our award-winning caring design and deliver the excellent performance clinicians need. The Optima MR360 Advance and Brivo MR355 Inspire are engineered to offer advanced clinical applications on eco-friendly systems while lowering the total cost of ownership for our customers.”

Optima MR360 Advance and Brivo MR355 Inspire are 510(k)-pending from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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