The new 0.7T GE Signa OpenSpeed MR Imaging System is an exciting major advance in Open MRI Technology. The OpenSpeed is a high-resolution, whole body imaging system using an innovative open magnet design operating at 0.7T through superconducting technology. The system is designed to provide openness and patient comfort for a wide range of examinations while providing excellent diagnostic image quality. The Signa OpenSpeed system can perform all routine and many specialized imaging examination including diagnostic imaging of the central nervous system, body joints, extremities and vascular anatomy using a comprehensive range of proven pulse sequences and image enhancement techniques.

To learn more about this system, or your exam click on the FAQs below.

WHAT IS MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) requires that a very strong and very uniform magnetic field be created around the patient. The human body is composed primarily of water. These water molecules or protons act like tiny bar magnets with a north and south pole. In a strong magnetic field, thousands of times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field, these protons line up in the direction of the artificial magnetic field created by the scanner. By introducing radio wave pulses (like the ones on your AM/FM radio) at very specific frequencies, or by rapidly changing the magnetic field gradients, these protons flip into different positions and spin at different rates. This creates a very weak signal that can be detected with very powerful amplifiers and computers, which then calculate the position of these protons in the body. This allows the computers to construct an image of the body in the areas of interest. Is this harmful to you? The answer is no, it causes no damage to the tissues. There is no ionizing radiation involved. The effect of these magnetic fields and radio frequency pulses on the water molecules of the body is very weak. The water molecules of the body are normally in constant motion anyway. The scanner only "organizes" that motion for very brief time periods (milliseconds) so their location can be calculated. The signals that are created from the body are very, very faint. That is why very powerful amplifiers and computers are needed to create the images. These signals need to be "listened to" and sampled multiple times until an image can be formed. That is why these exams can take more time than a simple xray or CT scan. The stronger the magnetic field of the scanner, the stronger the signals are coming from the body. The greater signal produced in the higher field scanners can be used to shorten exam time, or to do more sophisticated, thin-section imaging.

Although magnetic resonance imaging itself is safe and not harmful to you, being inside a very strong magnetic field can pose some risks. You will be screened and questioned very carefully by the staff to make sure you do not have a pacemaker, pacer wires, aneurysm clips, or other metallic foreign bodies that can be affected by strong magnetic fields and cause harm. You should answer these questions as accurately as you can.
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN MRI AND "NON-OPEN" MRI SYSTEMS?

The "non-open" MRI systems are those systems that operate at the higher magnetic field strengths (1.0T/1.5T). In order to generate these strong magnetic fields, the scanner must be constructed in a tubular, or cylinder form. The high magnetic field strength has definite advantages as we discussed above. The stronger signals coming from the body can be used to shorten the exam time, or used to create images with thinner sections and higher resolution. It also allows other types of sophisticated exams such as functional imaging, actually evaluating metabolic processes in the body, and high quality images of the vascular system. The disadvantage of these systems is that it can be very confining and uncomfortable to be within the tube, or cylinder of the scanner for prolonged times. Patients who are too large, too anxious, or claustrophobic may not be able to be scanned on these systems. The narrow cylinder of the scanning area makes it more difficult to monitor sick patients, and makes it a scary place for children.

Open MRI systems are built with a more open scanning area, usually much more open on the sides.

The patient is not within a narrow tube or cylinder. The Open MRI scanners must operate at lower magnetic field strengths, since up until recently higher magnetic field strengths could not practically be produced with this design. The majority of the Open MRI at most sites today operate at 0.2T to 0.3T. This lower magnetic field strength results lower signal coming from the body. This usually results in a much longer exam time since the signal must be listened to, or sampled longer to form the image. There is a greater degree of motion artifact since many patients get "fidgety" during long exams, especially if they are in pain. The quality of the images produced is less, and some types of exams simply cannot be performed reliably on these type scanners due to other technical limitations.
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Why is the new Signa OpenSpeed OpenMRI such an exciting advance? The OpenSpeed system combines the advantages of very open scanning gantry architecture with the advantages of higher field strength. By using superconducting technology, the magnetic field strength has been boosted to 0.7T, two to three times stronger than most open MRI systems operating today. This field strength is more accurately considered "mid-field," but since it is the highest field strength available on an open system, it has been called a High-Field Open MRI system. In addition, the combination of high-performance surface coils with advanced electronics backed by powerful computer processing power allows this scanner to perform equivalent to scanner with 1.0T magnetic field strength. This results in exams with high image quality, shorter exam times, 3 times faster than most other Open MRI systems, and all the advantages of the open architecture. The OpenSpeed system can perform all imaging exams, which the exception of a few of the most sophisticated functional exams, with the same image quality as the high field(I.5T)/cylinder design "non-open" scanners. This provides you, the patient, with the best of both worlds!
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WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF AN OPEN MRI SYSTEM?

  1. Patients who are claustrophobic, anxious, or simply not willing to be scanned in the more confining tubular/cylinder scanning area of the "non-open" systems, are also able to take advantage of the powerful benefits of MRI evaluation, without a traumatic or embarrassing experience.
  2. Large patients, up to 500 pounds, can be examined without difficulty in the open gantry area.
  3. Children can be more easily scanned and monitored in an open system. The open gantry design is less threatening and scary to children. A parent or family member may sit right beside the patient to provide reassurance.
  4. The vertical orientation of the magnetic field allows a friend, family member, or spouse to accompany the patient into the scanner to provide reassurance for those who need it. They can be close enough to hold hands, if that helps!
  5. Open systems are generally quieter and not as noisy as the higher field systems
  6. The open architecture of the gantry and the ability to angle the exam table, allows much greater flexibility in positioning the patient comfortably within the scanner. The area of the body to be examined can be positioned more easily at the center of the scanning area where the magnetic field is most uniform improving overall image quality.
  7. The open gantry architecture also allows more room to perform dynamic motion studies on various joints and the spine.
  8. The open architecture also allows greater access to the patient, which allows performance of interventional, and biopsy procedures under MRI guidance.
  9. The GE OpenSpeed system combines aft of the above advantages with the highest field strength available in an open MRI system today. This results in shorter exam times and state-of-the-art image quality for a full range of exam types, in a comfortable, patient-friendly environment.

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I NEVER HAD A MRI SCAN, WHAT WILL THE EXPERIENCE BE LIKE?

  1. First, based on the request from your primary physician, some additional questions may be asked to get more clinical information concerning your symptoms, or other information that would clarify why the exam has been requested. This allows the radiologist to make sure that the proper exam is performed and is thorough enough to make the correct diagnosis so your primary physician can treat you appropriately.
  2. You will be asked a series of questions to make sure you do not have a pacemaker, defibrillator device, aneurysm clips, pacer wires, skin patches, shrapnel or other metal foreign bodies near vital structures that might be affected by the magnetic field in the scanner and do harm to you. If you have worked as a metal worker and didn't wear protective goggles, or if you have a history of having had metal particles removed from your eye(s), we may request an xray of your orbits/eyes to make sure there are no metal foreign bodies remaining within, or near your eyes.
  3. You will be asked to avoid wearing eye make-up, especially blue eyeshade, for exams of the brain, orbits, or neck. This form of makeup can have a metallic base. Although this will not cause any harm to you, it will create significant artifact and distortion of the images.
  4. You should avoid coming for the exam wearing jewelry, earrings, chains, bracelets, or hairpins. These items will have to be removed for the exam. If you forget, these items will be placed in a locked locker until your exam is complete, however, it is more convenient if you come without these items. There is less chance of losing your valuables.
  5. You will be asked to remove belts, key chains, and bras, which have metal fasteners and/or underwires. It is easier for you if you come in, or bring sweatpants/shirt, or jogging garments for the exam. If you don't have these, or forget, don't worry, appropriate exam gowns/pants will be provided.
  6. There is no specific preparation for the exam. Since the exam may take 45-90 minutes you may want to avoid drinking a lot of fluids or coffee 2 hours prior to the exam to prevent you from having a full bladder during the exam. This would cause discomfort and a greater chance for movement , or exam delays.
  7. The MRI technologist will explain the exam to you. You will be positioned on the exam table. For many exams, a device called a surface coil will be placed around the area of interest. This allows the scanner to detect signal better from the body, improve image quality, and shorten the exam time. You will be given earplugs to muffle the noise, or earphones if music is available (you can bring your own CD if you want). The table will then be advanced into position and you will slide into the scanning area with a large flat surface over you, but it is open on the sides. There is a very gentle breeze from the ventilation fans within the scanner. The technologist will talk to you through an intercom; be (she) can also hear you when you talk. Let them know right way if you are having any problems.
  8. You will then hear a series of knocking noises, as the scan is prepared. This will be followed with a series of imaging sequences accompanied by loud rapping, knocking and buzzing noises. These noises are entirely normal. They are vibrations produced by the extremely rapid changes in the magnetic gradients used to produce and gather information for the images. Your exam should take about 45 minutes to an hour. More complicated exams may take slightly longer. During the exam you may experience, quiet pauses when nothing seems to be happening. Don't be alarmed or get annoyed, this is common. You have not been forgotten! The radiologist and technologist may be reviewing images, which take time to be constructed, so a decision can be made on what imaging sequence to do next, or set up the computer for the next image sequence. Again, if you do get concerned or need to come out of the scanner, talk to the technologist and they will be prompt in attending to your needs. Once your exam is complete the table will slide out of the scanner, you will be taken off the table, and you can leave the scanning area.
  9. Your exam will be reviewed by a radiologist the same day and a report will be sent to the physician who requested the exam within 24 hours. If the findings require immediate attention, the radiologist will immediately call your physician on the telephone to discuss the results so there is no delay in treatment, if necessary.

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