The Silenz data acquisition method uses gradients continuously, not switching them on and off eliminating mechanical vibration, thus resulting in a silent scan. At the same time, it acquires three-dimensional MR data, yielding isotropic resolution along with a very short echo time thus helping improve image quality and signal from all tissues of interest. A high fidelity power electronics platform ensures gradient stability and radio frequency (RF) required to avoid generating image artefacts during reconstruction. Further, the GEM Suite of coils helps maximise signal-to-noise ratios within the images by switching from transmit to receive mode within microseconds.
Dr Harsh Mahajan, Founder and Chief Radiologist at Mahajan Imaging, Delhi has installed the Silent Scan capable Discovery MR750w 3.0T at his Defence Colony Center a month and a half back. His centre is one of the few all across the world and the first in whole of Asia to have this innovative technology. “I have been a practising radiologist for the last 27 years. As a physician, I have always wished for companies to make the magnet larger and the device shorter in length as well as reduce the sound from the scanner, something which was considered impossible so far.” MRIs typically have a long and narrow tunnel. That along with the staccato like sound during scanning can be a terrifying experience for a patient.
The benefits of the technology are a boon for all including the patient, physician and radiologist. “We were pleasantly surprised that when we run these silent sequences they are actually silent. We thought that the machine will bring down the sound from a certain decibel level to a tolerable level, but standing next to the machine, with the patient in the scanner, neither the patient nor anyone can hear anything. Sound of scanning and gradient is taken off. Hearing is believing, way beyond our wildest expectations. For someone involved with MR for so long, it is a dream comes true,” emphasises Dr Mahajan. Talking about the patient experience, he says that those who have been through the experience earlier on traditional MRs, think that the machine is not running, with even the purring sound absent. “We have to reamplify that the machine has not stopped. The reactions have been consistently positive,” he adds. A quieter, less noisy environment means that the radiologist can focus more on the patient and communicate better with him along with reduced prep and scan times. Other team members such as nurses and anaesthesiologists can also communicate effectively.
The other major advantage is a wide bore MRI, shorter in length, offering the best of both worlds. The machine is also very fast since it is the most advanced 3.0 tesla ever made and is able to do a quicker scan. Despite the silent nature of the scans there is no compromise on image quality; rather it is enhanced with these newer silent sequences, which is a positive development. The machine is also capable of detecting liver fat quantification or fatty change in liver, which is leading cause of cirrhosis in liver. Summing up, Dr Mahajan says, “For us it has been well worth the money spent, with a smile on patients face relieving them of a traumatic experience, a huge reward for someone in the healthcare space.”