GE Signa Pulse of MR - Spring 2012

Insight … Europe’s operating benefit In addition to meeting Europe’s every day and advanced patient needs with uncompromised image quality, intuitive workflow, and uncompromised reliability, the Optima MR360 is an ecomagination product—offering operating and environmental benefits. For example, the system employs an efficient gradient and electronics design, as well as a water-cooling technology. It’s among the most energy efficient 1.5T MR systems, using about 34% less energy than previous generation systems.1 Plus, the Optima MR360 packs a lot of performance with a space-saving profile, and steps lightly with a remarkably reduced footprint for operating costs and environmental impact. Moreover, by employing magnet technology that prevents cryogen boiloff, the system can reduce the cost of replacing liquid helium by 1,300 euro or more annually at typical cryogen prices in Europe—compared to systems without this technology.1

1. ecomagination Certification Scorecard.

Optima MR360 system. “It is reliable,
efficient, and it is a workhorse,” concludes
Dr. Alibek. “When it comes to the question
of, ‘Do you want to have this technology
or not?’ I say, ‘I would not want to live
without it.’”
Renate Sharper, Chief Technologist,
works with Dr. Alibek. She finds the
workflow of the Optima MR360 easy
and intuitive. “It was relatively easy
for us to work on the new system. In
two to three days we were used to it
without any problems. We could then
work smoothly. We’d already made
patient appointments at the normal
rhythm, too, and that was very simple.”
Sharper continues, “There are many
small things that help us. As employees
we really find that this interlinking
series is fantastic—the series starts
automatically and makes the whole
thing very simple and very quick for us.”
The Express Coil, which is embedded
in the examination table for scans of
the head, neck, abdomen and spine,
eliminates the need to reposition
patients. “Using the integrated coils
in the table means that patients who
come to be examined for the spinal
column or the lumbar spine area
can always be moved into the system
feet-first, which they find very pleasant,”
says Sharper. “I find the Optima MR360
to be modern, fast, dynamic, and
patient and user friendly.”

Centre d’Imagerie Médicale
“Les Cèdres” in Normandy,
France

At the Centre d’Imagerie Médicale “Les
Cèdres”, which works in partnership
with the public hospital, clinical
performance and versatility are
a priority. When Dr. Pierrick Batail,
Radiologist, and other radiologists
at Centre d’Imagerie Médicale “Les
Cèdres” analyze an MR scanner, they
are looking for one that can scan any
patient in any situation.