GE Healthcare unveiled its new SIGNA Pioneer 3.0 Tesla MRI system that comes with a revolutionary new imaging technique called MAGiC, which reduces imaging times by up to two-thirds.

MAGiC is an MR technique that allows for the acquisition of multiple image contrasts at the same time. With this technique, a single scan that delivers six contrasts can be completed in as little as one-third the total time taken to acquire each contrast separately using conventional techniques.

An enhanced SilentScan package is also available on SIGNA Pioneer, enabling SilentScan for musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging and spine imaging in addition to a complete neuro exam that also includes Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI).

The SIGNA Pioneer also features technology called Total Digital Imaging (TDI) enabling improved image quality and increasing signal to noise ratio (SNR) by up to 25 percent. TDI is composed of Direct Digital Interface (DDI), Digital Surround Technology (DST) and Digital Micro Switching (DMS).

"At GE Healthcare, we design products to address clinicians' needs. Improved patient experience and productivity are essential now in healthcare. With SIGNA Pioneer, we set out to design a system with innovative solutions to help our customers and their patients. We are proud to introduce MAGiC that allows generation of six different contrasts in a single scan that's a major step forward in productivity. And SilentScan is setting the trend in the industry for a new level of patient experience; this enhanced SilentScan package will extend the comfort patients experience now beyond just neuro scans,"said Mr Eric Stahre, president and chief executive officer of GE Healthcare MR.

SIGNA Pioneer and MAGiC both are 510(k) pending at FDA.