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In November 2003, NYU installed the first
Siemens Avanto system in the United States. |
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This 1.5T magnet incorporates several major advances in clinical
MR imaging:
(1) Total Imaging Matrix (TIM) with 32 channels
At any given time, 76 coil elements can be plugged in and
data collected from 32 channels! This translates into several
rich applications:
Whole body imaging for applications such as MR angiography,
musculoskeletal or spine imaging can be performed with a single
set up as shown below, although the implementation of the 76
coil elements is extremely flexible.
Better SNR:
The matrix concept permits better signal-to-noise for most imaging
applications, especially with the 12 channel head coil and in
body applications.
Broader parallel imaging potential:
The new overhaul in coil design permits multicoil arrays to
be operated CP, dual array, or triple mode to permit parallel
imaging in any direction, and even in two directions simultaneously
(for three-dimensional imaging). For example, the spine matrix
coil (which stays on the table, for most studies) is composed
of an 8 x 3 matrix of coil elements. When combined with a body
matrix (2 x 3) coil anteriorly allows an iPAT factor of 3 x
2 or 6 for 3D imaging (3 in the left-to-right direction and
2 in the anterior-posterior direction)! If 4 coils are used
in the cranial-caudal direction, the iPAT potential increases
to 4 x 3 or 12, for certain applications!
(2) Stronger gradients across a 50 cm field of view
45 mT/m gradient, slew 200T/m/s
But no worse stimulation secondary to better design.
(3) Full body length moving table
205 cm table move/coverage (6 ft 9 in)
(4) Much quieter system
30 dB less noise (ear plugs no longer necessary)
(5) More homogeneous field
Better fat suppression
Better trueFISP imaging
(6) “Zero” helium boil off
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