3T Head-Only MRI System Gets FDA Clearance

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for the Signa Magnus system, a 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for head-only scanning.

Featuring HyperG gradient technology, the Signa Magnus system facilitates faster MRI scanning with performance levels of 300 mT/m and 750 T/m/s, according to GE HealthCare, the manufacturer of the system. In addition to shorter scan times, the company said the neuroimaging system offers advanced diffusion imaging capabilities and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Noting an asymmetrical design that shifts the gradient isocenter to the patient edge of the coil, GE HealthCare said the head-only emphasis of the system facilitates a gradient amplitude and slew rate that exceed those of conventional whole-body MRI platforms.

“We're very excited about the capabilities Signa Magnus provides,” said Kawin Setsompop, Ph.D., an associate professor of radiology at Stanford University. “I plan to leverage the gradient performance to look at microstructures with diffusion imaging, such as axonal diameter. Additionally, using the high slew rate for efficient readout in terms of EPI and spiral to sample k-space faster will help achieve higher resolution with fewer artifacts.”