Older MRI Systems Upgraded with Novel Multipurpose Coils Can Compete with Newer MRI Models

Older 1.5-T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) models can now be upgraded with multichannel, multipurpose coils to improve image resolution.

The upgraded machines can compete in performance with newer 3-T offerings, and allow imaging centers to improve the performance, comfort, and speed of MRI scans. This strategy can enable imaging centers to achieve substantial cost savings. New 3-T systems can cost up to USD 1.5 million.

The new DuoFLEX suite of coils is available in two sizes with an interventional option from MRI Instruments (Minneapolis, MN, USA). Unlike existing anatomy-specific rigid coils, the new 8-channel multipurpose coils provide a better fit for patients, and can be interchanged for use on any part of the body. The new coils can be used to upgrade 1, 4, and 8-channel rigid coils.

The coils have the CE Marking and are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Silver Spring, MD USA) for 1.5-T GE Healthcare (Chalfont St Giles, UK) MRI scanners. The coils are available in two sizes. Coils for Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) 1.5-T scanners, and 3-T multi-purpose coils for both GE and Siemen are expected to become available in 2015.

The DuoFLEX coils minimize the time that it takes to switch between anatomy-specific MRI coils during an imaging exam. This can eliminate coil change-out between scans, improving efficiency, and increasing daily revenue from MRI scanning by up to 12%.

Andreas Melzer, MD DDS, said “If you have an 8-channel MRI and 1 or 4-channel standard or anatomical coils, buying an 8-channel, multipurpose flexible coil can provide better imaging, and more flexibility to meet clinical needs. The more channels you have, the less noise and more uniform the image typically will be because there are more channels detecting. We’ve found the open, flexible fitting architecture of DuoFLEX coils provides very high-quality imaging that accommodates images from multiple angles. We’ve found that a flexible coil suite like DuoFLEX’s can supplement or take the place of several rigid, anatomy-specific coils with equal or even better image quality. Flexible MRI coils have the potential to save set-up time when switching between anatomy-specific coils. They would be good for fast, individually placed coil set-ups, including near full body scans in the case of cancer, or for individualized, pediatric, whole body scanning, and for MR guided interventions in particular.”

Related Links:
MRI Instruments
GE Healthcare 
Siemens Healthcare