GE's revolutionary Silent Scan technology dials down MRI scanning down to a Whisper for patient comfort & reduces the need for re-scans
February 25, 2014 -- Silence is golden for millions of patients who find MRI scans loud and distressing. Patient comfort is one of the leading factors in getting the most accurate diagnosis. GE Healthcare's Silent Scan*, a revolutionary technology addresses this significant impediment to patient comfort -- excessive sound generated during an MRI scan. Mahajan Imaging, Delhi is the first healthcare facility in Asia to install Silent MRI in India. GE's exclusive Silent Scan technology is designed to reduce MR scanner noise to near ambient (background) sound levels and thus improve a patient's MR exam experience. Conventional MR scanners can generate noise in excess of 110 dBA (decibels) levels, roughly equivalent to rock concerts.
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"One drawback of MRI scans is that they are loud, generating as much noise as a rock concert or an airplane engine. Noisy MRI scans can be quite disturbing, especially brain scans in elderly and children, and hence, since patient comfort is paramount for getting accurate, high-quality images, sometimes we need to repeat scans to get high quality images. With this new Silent MRI from GE, we are able to get exceptionally high-quality images of the anatomy the first time, since MRI noise is virtually inaudible and the patient is relaxed. We are very proud and thrilled that we are the first diagnostic centre to offer this benefit to patients in India. This is in-line with our mission of bringing the latest and most-advanced medical technologies into the country.", said Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Director, Mahajan Imaging, a Padmashri awardee.
Noise is one of the major complaints from patients who undergo a MRI exam. Historically, medical manufacturers have addressed the noise issue by muffling it using a combination of acoustic dampening material or even degrading MRI machine performance in order to reduce the noise level. Two years ago, GE engineers initiated their quest to reduce noise during an MRI scan. They developed --Silent Scan Technology, a radical new type of 3D MR acquisition methodology, a combination of proprietary high-fidelity gradient and RF system electronics, by which the noise is not merely dampened but is virtually eliminated at the source. The Silent Scan Technology is co-developed in India by GE.
"Silent MRI puts patients first. It is part of our efforts to humanize MRI systems and make them patient friendly and safe without compromising on image quality. The Silent Scan technology is co-developed in India by our engineers. While it is a boon for patients, it also potentially allows a healthcare facility to see more patients with fewer repeat scans or recalls." Said Dr Karthik Kuppusamy, Senior Director, MRI Imaging, GE Healthcare South Asia.
Silent Scan is available on new as well as existing Discovery MR750w with GEM and Optima MR450w with GEM systems.
About GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services to meet the demand for increased access, enhanced quality and more affordable healthcare around the world. GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter - great people and technologies taking on tough challenges. From medical imaging, software & IT, patient monitoring and diagnostics to drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies and performance improvement solutions, GE Healthcare helps medical professionals deliver great healthcare to their patients.
GE Healthcare is at work for a healthier India. We are focusing on some of the toughest healthcare challenges of India -- lowering maternal and infant deaths; enable early detection of cancer for early treatment, addressing heart disease the burden etc. We design, develop and manufacture technologies in India for India and the world that will enhance access to quality healthcare at affordable costs to more people. For our latest news, please visit http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com.
About Mahajan Imaging
Mahajan Imaging has a history of bringing new technologies into the private sector in the country, for example, standing weight bearing MRI, functional MRI, MR tractography, MR mammography, CT coronary angiography, 4D ultrasound with tomography, PET-CT, CT-guided robotic biopsy, digital mammography and DEXA bone densitometry. There are currently six centres in New Delhi, with the flagship standalone centres in Defence Colony and Hauz Khas, and other centres located in prestigious hospitals including Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Dr. B.L. Kapur Memorial Hospital, and Safdarjung Hospital. An MRI centre under Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Uttrakhand government is being run at Doon Hospital in Dehradun. Apart from routine clinical imaging, Mahajan Imaging is also involved in advanced clinical and applied research and their partners include Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India, etc. Mahajan Imaging prides itself in providing highest-end medical facilities to all sections of society with a human touch.
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