GE HealthCare has unveiled the SIGNA MAGNUS MR scanner, a head-only system geared toward neurological and psychiatric research. The new system, currently awaiting FDA approval, aims to overcome the limitations imposed by conventional whole-body MR systems in exploring complex brain disorders.

By utilizing GE HealthCare's most advanced 3T MR imaging technology to enhance detail and clarity in brain microstructures and functions, SIGNA MAGNUS is poised to help expand understanding of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's, and improve diagnostic capabilities.

The MR scanner features HyperG gradient technology, which supports superior gradient performance, allowing for the detection of finer details previously beyond reach. Its innovative asymmetric gradient design optimizes diffusion performance, crucial for advanced research into brain architecture.
The MAGNUS (Microstructure Anatomy Gradient for Neuroimaging with Ultrafast Scanning) gradient coils were initially showcased at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) virtual meeting in 2020 as part of a study between the GE Research Center and the Uniformed Services University, the U.S. government’s health sciences university. The MAGNUS gradient coils were used to assess military personnel suffering from acute and chronic mild TBI at a major U.S. military treatment facility, with the goal being to find new imaging biomarkers for diagnosing cases of mild TBI.

In March of this year, SIGNA MAGNUS was installed at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where it has already begun contributing to neuro MR research. Carl-Fredrik Westin, Ph.D., a leading figure in medical imaging at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, highlighted the system’s capability to facilitate previously impossible measurements and inquiries.

The SIGNA MAGNUS was showcased at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) meeting, held May 4-9, 2024, in Singapore.

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