A (MRI) Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine can be louder than you expect. #-Link-Snipped-# the noise levels of a standard MRI machine to go up to 100 decibels. To get an idea exactly how loud is 100 decibels you would have to operate a jackhammer or stand in front row of a rock concert. You can now have a vague idea about the noise levels inside the enclosed space of a MRI machine. The noise aggravates the anxiety levels of the patient who then finds it hard to stay still for the MR scan. To reduce noise from 100 decibels to ambient room levels GE Healthcare has developed the Silent Scan technology which is neuro acquisition technique that focuses on removing the noise at the source itself instead of trying to muffle or dampen the sound.


The #-Link-Snipped-# starts off with the ‘Silenz’, a data acquisition method where gradients are used continuously to reduce the mechanical vibrations. The technique also works in improving image quality of the scans. Next it uses high fidelity power electronics to avoid generating image artifacts during reconstruction. Finally it employs ultra-fast RF switching to make sure that the RF coil takes microseconds to switch from transmit to receive modes. Silent Scan has now been commercially implemented on GE's 1.5T and 3.0T systems. Now while #-Link-Snipped-#, we are glad to know that patients will now have a less harrowing experience at the hospital.

Source: #-Link-Snipped-# via #-Link-Snipped-#