Fonar (Melville, NY) showcases its Stand-Up MRI. The 0.6 Telsa system is an open, whole-body scanner that allows for Position MRI and kinetic weight-bearing imaging.
GE Medical Systems (GEMS of Waukesha, Wis) offers its EXCITE platform on the Signa OpenSpeed MRI system. EXCITE is an optimized data pipeline—transmission, reception, and processing components—designed to handle today’s higher volumes of MR image data. The platform allows improved signal to noise ratio and system performance. EXCITE brings true 8-channel capability and the ability to handle more advanced, data-intensive imaging techniques to the Signa Open Speed system. These features will enable more types of diagnostic exams to be performed on the scanner.
The company also plans to demonstrate new EXCITE applications for its Signa 1.5T scanner. Advances include PROPELLER, VIBRANT, TRICKS, and new coils. PROPELLER incorporates a new pulse sequence technology and enables physicians to see specific areas of the brain that were previously compromised either by a patient’s movement, which resulted in blurry images, or by the presence of dental work, craniotomies, or other abnormalities that could impact the magnetic field. It is ideal for stroke and pediatric patients. VIBRANT (Volume Imaging for Breast Assessment) produces high-quality sagittal images of both breasts in the same amount of time that it previously took traditional techniques to image a single breast. Women diagnosed with breast cancer can have both breasts imaged in a single MR visit. TRICKS (Time Resolved Imaging of Contrast Kinetics) is an ideal imaging application to determine blood clots and other vascular diseases in the lower extremities. It eliminates the temporal factor of the MRA exam by acquiring all data for an MRA, starting from the time the contrast agent is injected into the patient to the final flow from arteries to veins. This results in higher resolution and contrast while capturing the exact moment physicians need to evaluate. In addition to the introduction of new applications, GEMS is unveiling 8-channel surface coils. Eight channels are optimized for parallel imaging techniques, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and resulting in higher resolution of the images. The new 8-channel coils includeneurovascular, torso-pelvic, cardiac, and CTL spine arrays. GE also plans to showcase its Signa EXCITE 3.0T, an ultra-short MRI system.
Hitachi Medical Corp (Twinsburg, Ohio) introduces new RF receiver technology for its Altaire MRI platform. The optional Scalable DualQuad RF system includes reception from an increased number of coil elements, additional receivers, and reconstruction processors. Currently, Scalable DualQuad provides four independent receiver channels, but receiver channel expansion is planned for the future. Together with the transmit/ receive coil function, a total of 12 ultra-low noise preamplifiers are included, along with an electronic coil mode selection capability. This RF platform supports next-generation RF coils for Altaire, including the neurovascular, breast, and peripheral vascular coils. The multiple array breast coil provides high signal to noise and consistent uniformity for high-resolution diagnostic imaging of the breast. This 4-channel coil operates in both the bilateral and unilateral modes for optimal flexibility and supports biopsy procedures. The recently introduced neurovascular coil supports high-quality vascular imaging, portraying vasculature from the Circle of Willis to the Aortic arch in a single acquisition. Also, the neurovascular coil is designed for imaging the brain, cervical spine, soft tissue of the neck, and complete vasculature of the head and neck. Scalable DualQuad-enabled technologies, such as parallel imaging, are under development for Altaire as well.
Patients enter a soothing virtual world during procedures with Resonance Technology’s CinemaVision System.
Resonance Technology Co Inc (Northridge, Calif) launches the CinemaVision virtual reality system. The fully digital audio system is designed to immerse patients during scanning in a calm, soothing virtual world. The MRI audio-video system also offers two-way communication with technologists and eliminates gradient noise.
Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, Pa) plans to make a significant announcement at RSNA. In addition, look for the Siemens MR Division to showcase its MAGNETOM Trio. This 3T system features a large magnet that equips the system for whole-body scans of children and adults. The Trio scanner can be used to study small vascular pathologies, musculoskeletal diseases, tumors, and cardiac testing.
Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS of Tustin, Calif) travels to RSNA with the newly launched Excelart Vantage. The 1.5T high-field MRI system is equipped with an ultra-short 1.5T magnet. Vantage is equipped with a fast CPU platform to increase patient throughput and facilitate future upgradeability. The system features BasicSoft, an anatomically oriented imaging protocol package. BasicSoft provides a range of pulse sequences, including high-resolution FSE and its single-shot variations of FASE and multi-slab MRA. Vantage is available with optional packages for advanced EPI functional, perfusion, diffusion, peripheral MRA, cardiac imaging, and SuperFASE imaging for even higher resolution high-speed 2D and 3D imaging or non-contrast perfusion and MRA studies.
