Today, MRI systems are one of the most important tools used by doctors to get detailed images inside the body, which in turn help doctors properly diagnose medical problems. However, installing these systems is costly and hospitals must adhere to special procedures to install them properly. As a result, many parts of the world still do not have access to this potentially life-saving technology.

GE scientists are working to change that. The GE Global Research Center received a four-year, $3.27 million award from National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a revolutionary new magnet technology that would make MRI systems less costly and much easier to site.

The Future of MR: A concept of what a smaller, lighter and more mobile MR platform could look like in the future. A key goal of the project is to develop a scalable magnet technology.

To get there, the GE scientists must create a magnet that operates without cryogenic liquids. Cryogenic liquids are what enable today’s superconducting MRI systems to produce such high quality images. The magnet is the largest and most expensive component of the scanner and therefore is the principal reason why MRI systems are more expensive and difficult to site.

It would be a major breakthrough for the industry if GE becomes successful in creating such a magnet. More importantly, it would fulfill GE’s goal through healthymagination to reach millions of patients that don’t have access to these systems today.

* Read today’s announcement
* Learn more about the announcement on the GE Global Research blog

GE Healthcare and a Russian manufacturer specializing in X-ray, mammography and healthcare information solutions recently announced a strategic manufacturing partnership in Russia that will bring together the skills and expertise of both parties.

Working with Medical Technologies Limited (MTL), GE Healthcare will localize and distribute its diagnostic imaging technologies in Russia – starting with the CT BrightSpeed Elite system™. > More…

It pays to be healthy. With the help from our friends at GOOD magazine, we feature a combination of data and graphics to show the projected cost burdens of chronic disease in the U.S. > More…

When Kitty Yoh first arrived to Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Municipal Referral Hospital as a GE volunteer, she was surprised to see the level of dedication among the staff despite the sparse amount of equipment in the hospital.

“It was frankly unbelievable,” said Yoh, one of three GE ambassadors volunteering under the Developing Health Globally ™ program in Cambodia. > More…

While U.S. leaders tackle issues facing the nation’s healthcare system, GE Healthcare is working with hospitals to bring solutions locally.

Bon Secours Richmond Health System recently announced a $5 million savings over a 5-year period through their partnership with GE Healthcare’s Performance Solutions business. Bon Secours, a four-hospital, 850-bed health system in Richmond, Va., took steps to enhance their system’s operations by deploying new, advanced technologies that track patient, staff and hospital equipment patterns. The positive impacts are felt across the health system. The improvements resulted in more effective use of hospital resources and shorter patient wait times. In addition, hospital management has seen significant reductions in spending and measurable improvements in workflow and staff efficiency. > More…