Compact magnets highlight GE offerings

New short-bore magnets will be added to the MRI product lineup of this Milwaukee-based imaging giant (Hall A, #2145). GE has added short-bore configurations at 1-tesla and 1.5-tesla field strengths to its Signa Horizon LX series: The appellation CX 100 denotes the 1-tesla short-bore system, while CX 150 is the 1.5-tesla magnet.

Visitors to the company's booth can also expect more physical space devoted to its MRI exhibit, with the company highlighting mobile versions of its 0.2-tesla Profile and 1.5-tesla Signa Horizon LX scanners for the first time. An investigational version of the whole-body Horizon LX, optimized for cardiac and neurological applications, will also be featured.

In nuclear medicine, GE has made some changes since last year's RNSA show. The company has formed a joint venture with Elscint, called ELGEMS, to take over development of gamma cameras and related products that each company formerly handled alone.

In ultrasound, look for GE to highlight the latest upgrade to its flagship Logiq 700 MR scanner. GE in May introduced the Voxel Image Processor upgrade to the system, which enables the scanner to operate with 1024 transmit channels and 2048 receive channels.

One of the most exciting new technologies to hit medical imaging in recent years is the development of flat-panel digital x-ray detectors, and GE made a major splash in August with the announcement of its joint venture arrangement with EG&G Amorphous Silicon of Santa Clara, CA (SCAN 9/3/97).