GE HealthCare has introduced SIGNA MAGNUS, a high-performance, head-only magnetic resonance (MR) scanner for exploring advancements in neuroscience.

The system, currently pending 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is poised to revolutionise neuroscience research which has been historically limited by the capabilities of conventional whole-body MR systems.

Targeting the expansion of neuroscience research, the scanner is tailored for advanced imaging procedures in neurology, oncology, and psychiatry, aiming to overcome the technological constraints that have previously hindered the study of complex brain disorders.

GE HealthCare MR CEO Kelly Londy said: “With SIGNA MAGNUS, we are not just exploring the possibility of providing the tool; we are setting new benchmarks in medical research and future clinical patient care.

“This innovation underscores our commitment to R&D and our collaborations with academia, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in MR imaging. The potential impact of SIGNA MAGNUS on patient outcomes and our understanding of the human brain is profound."

Said to be GE HealthCare’s vision of its most advanced 3.0T MR imaging device, the SIGNA MAGNUS system has superior gradient performance with its HyperG gradient technology, which features 300 mT/m and 750 T/m/s.

This technology enables the detection of minute details that were previously beyond reach, allowing researchers to explore advanced anatomical, diffusion, and functional techniques.

SIGNA MAGNUS also integrates GE HealthCare’s latest deep-learning algorithms.

In March 2024, research institution Brigham and Women's Hospital installed the investigational MAGNUS system.

The Brigham team is set to collaborate closely with GE HealthCare in conducting research on high-performance neuro MR.

Last month, GE HealthCare obtained 510(k) clearance from the US FDA for its Portrait vital signs monitor (VSM).