GE HealthCare Launches Sonic DL Deep-Learning Tech for MRI

GE HealthCare announced the launch and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of its new Sonic DL deep learning-based tech to accelerate image acquisition in MRI.
 
It can enable new imaging paradigms like high-quality cardiac MRI in a single heartbeat, expanding the company’s AI-enabled solutions portfolio. Cardiac MRI is the gold standard to assess heart structure and function in cardiovascular disease, but its adoption globally is relatively low.
 
Sonic DL, according to GE HealthCare, can scan up to 12 times faster than conventional methods. This means rapid cardiac MR functional imaging can occur in a single heartbeat. The advancement minimizes or removes the need for patients to repetitively hold their breath—expanding the pool of eligible patients for cardiac MRI to arrhythmic patients and those with difficulty holding their breath.
 
“Sonic DL emerges as a game-changer in the field of cardiac imaging,” Dr. Gianluca Pontone, Director of Perioperative Cardiology and Cardiovascular Imaging Dept., Centro Cardiologico Monzino, told the press. “By capturing images within a single heartbeat, this cutting-edge technology addresses the unique needs of patients who face challenges in breath-holding, suffer from advanced heart failure, or have arrhythmias. The significance of this capability cannot be overstated, as it ensures a smoother and more comfortable experience for patients during MRI exams. Moreover, Sonic DL’s ability to significantly reduce scan times mitigates the occurrence of motion artifacts that can compromise image quality, paving the way for more accurate and reliable diagnoses.”
 
According to the company, Sonic DL can reduce cardiac MRI scan times by up to 83% and helps enhance productivity in radiology departments.
 
“Sonic DL is a paradigm shift for MR enabling high-quality imaging in a single heartbeat,” said Jie Xue, president and CEO, Global MR, GE HealthCare. “It greatly expands patient access and improves diagnostic value for patients who need it the most but previously couldn’t be scanned successfully. Our industry-leading deep learning technology, AIR Recon DL, has already benefited more than 10 million patients. We expect Sonic DL to further extend the lead of GE HealthCare in leveraging AI to advance healthcare and benefit patients around the world.”