Noise reduction when taking MRI

GE Healthcare has introduced a new data collection technology designed to help patients feel more comfortable by eliminating the tremendous amount of noise generated during MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Ordinary MRI scanners can produce noise in excess of 110dBA. This noise reduction technique is still on the rise.

The noise generated by the MRI scanner involves changes in magnetic field that allow the scanner to pass through the body with each slice, as detailed, the faster the speed, the higher the noise. Designers have tried to reduce noise with soundproofing and diaphragm, but the results are limited.

Silent Scan technology achieves through two new developments. Sound noise is primarily removed thanks to a new 3D scanning application. The second step is to reconstruct the data called Silenz.

When Silenz is used in conjunction with GE's new high-tech features including MRI Gradient effects and RF electronics. As a result, the MRI scan noise is largely eliminated at its source.

At the North American X-ray Association meeting of 2012, an MRI-compliant Silent Scan system was linked to a soundproofing room.

When the MRI system uses a conventional scanning method, noise levels up to 110dBA. However, when the Silent Scan technology is applied, the noise level is only 76dBA, which is the background noise of electronic devices MRI. It is important to reduce the noise but the image quality is not impaired.

According to Gizmag, GE Healthcare is now looking forward to licensing and refining electrical engineering to match the existing models in the market. Hopefully, the Silent Scan technique will be applied soon to the imaging department.