A new imaging system interface for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was presented on the first day of the 2020 European Congress of Radiology (ECR) annual meeting, taking place virtually for the first time from 15–19 July.
The imaging system interface is a joint hardware and software development from Bayer and Siemens Healthineers, and the first injector scanner interface for the MRI suite. It synchronises the MEDRAD MRXperion MR injection system from Bayer and the Siemens Healthineers MR scanner, thereby overcoming significant challenges posed by the complex process used in conventional contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI, which can result in suboptimal imaging, according to a joint company press release. By enabling synchronised injector triggering from the MRI scanner operator console and a more efficient workflow, the imaging system interface allows users to conduct high quality, consistent contrast-enhanced procedures and spend more time focusing on the patient. Bayer and Siemens claim.
In a conventional, manually-controlled setting, radiographers must constantly plan, monitor, and time the various steps on the injector and scanner workstations separately during contrast-enhanced MRI procedures. If the required steps are not optimally-timed and synchronised, poor image quality may be generated, which can delay diagnosis as contrast-enhanced scans then have to be repeated. This can result in additional costs to healthcare systems and may cause unnecessary stress and inconvenience for patients as well as healthcare providers.
“Together with Siemens Healthineers, we were able to design an interface that directly addresses the challenges of conventional contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI workflows and improves both the user and patient experience,” comments Olaf Weber, head of Radiology Research and Development at Bayer.
“This is a very exciting time as we introduce the new technology to our customers that will further improve their experience with our MRXperion injector. We believe that the new interface will assist in allowing the MRI radiographers more time to care for their patients,” says Lynne Collins, country head Radiology at Bayer UK/Ireland.
The imaging system interface recently gained CE mark certification.
