CHICAGO – NOVEMBER 26, 2012– Today at RSNA 2012, GE Healthcare (NYSE: GE) introduced
the 510(k) pending Silent Scan*, a revolutionary technology designed to address
one of the most significant impediments to patient comfort – excessive acoustic
noise generated during an MR scan. Conventional MR scanners can generate noise
in excess of 110 dBA (decibels) levels, roughly equivalent to rock concerts and
requires ear protection. GE’s exclusive Silent Scan technology is designed to
reduce MR scanner noise to near ambient (background) sound levels and thus can improve
a patient’s MR exam experience.
“Silent Scan is a huge
breakthrough for the MR industry and for patients around the world,” says
Richard Hausmann, president and CEO, GE Healthcare MR. “Excessive acoustic noise
is a major cause of patient discomfort during MR scans and GE is addressing
that with Silent Scan, a new MR advanced application and a major innovation in
the healthcare industry. GE is very serious about Humanizing MR and making its
MR systems patient-friendly, safe, and without compromise.”
Historically, acoustic noise
mitigation techniques have focused on insulating components and muffling sound
as opposed to treating the noise at the source. With Silent Scan, acoustic
noise is essentially eliminated by employing a new advanced 3D acquisition and
reconstruction technique called Silenz, in combination with GE Healthcare’s proprietary
design of the high-fidelity MR gradient and RF system electronics. Silent Scan
is designed to eliminate the noise at its source; with Silent Scan, patients
will experience a more relaxing scanning environment.
Silent Scan is one way in
which GE MR is Humanizing MR and putting patients first. GE’s MR systems deliver
superb image quality and an optimized patient experience, balancing caring
design with insightful technology.
Another example of this on display at RSNA is the Optima MR430s 1.5T
extremity scanner, which allows patients to undergo an MR exam while sitting in
a chair, with Image Quality equivalent to a traditional whole body MR system.
*Silent Scan is 510(k)
pending at U.S. FDA and not available for sale.
GE
Healthcare at RSNA 2012
Each
year in Chicago, the conference of the Radiological Association of North
America (RSNA) provides a forum for showcasing the latest innovations in
medical imaging. If you are attending the conference, please visit GE
Healthcare at booth number 5433 in McCormick Place south hall. Throughout the
week of the event, GE Healthcare will distribute news and information using
these digital platforms:
·
Digital press kit: newsroom.gehealthcare.com/press-kits/ge-healthcare-at-rsna-2012
·
Twitter: @GEHealthcare and hashtag #GEWorks
·
YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/gehealthcare
·
Flickr: www.flickr.com/people/gehealthcare
·
Instagram: instagram.com/generalelectric
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About GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that
are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging
and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems,
drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance
improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver
better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we
partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change
necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.
Our “healthymagination” vision for the future
invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop
innovations focused on increasing access and improving quality and
affordability around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE
Healthcare is a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE
Healthcare employees are committed to serving healthcare professionals and
their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE
Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com.
For our latest news, please visit http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com.
Media Contact
Amanda Gintoft
GE Healthcare
Amanda.Gintoft@ge.com
+1 414 412 7062
Notes to Editors