GE Healthcare's new silent MRI scanner was recently introduced in a Michigan hospital. Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI became the world's first hospital to use the new technology.

Called the Silent Scan, the new technology reduces excessive acoustic noise that is generated during an MRI scan. While conventional scanners can generate noise in excess of 108 decibels – comparably, a rock concert registers at 120 decibels– the Silent Scan reduces MR scanner noise to background sound levels.

"It is very exciting to be able to offer this technology to our patients at Spectrum Health," said Dr. Mark DeLano of Spectrum Health. "The response from our patients has been very gratifying. They tell us that the Silent Scans are essentially silent compared to conventional MRI scans. This reduces their anxiety about the procedure."

DeLano worked as part of a research collaboration with GE Healthcare to implement the technology. He says the Silent Scan will be especially beneficial to pediatric patients and claustrophobic patients. Noise is one of the major complaints from patients who undergo an MRI exam.

Historically, medical manufacturers have addressed the noise issue by using a combination of acoustic dampening material or performance degradation to reduce the noise level. Silent Scan has a new type of 3D MR acquisition, in combination with proprietary high-fidelity gradient and RF system electronics, noise is eliminated at the source, rather than dampened.