For a long time, 1.5-Tesla and 3-Tesla MR scanners have been common in imaging facilities. More recently, 7-Tesla systems have entered the market as a top of the line imaging option, (especially in research facilities). So, when United Imaging introduced its 5-Tesla system earlier this year, HealthCare Business News reached out to Jeffrey Bundy, CEO of United Imaging Healthcare Solutions, to learn more about the technology and the needs it was poised to meet.

HCB News: United Imaging introduced its new 5T MR this year, saying it could expand access to ultra high field MR. What are some ways you see it opening doors that are not currently open via 7T systems?
Jeffrey Bundy: We are a company focused on accessibility. At United Imaging, we call it equal access (Equal Healthcare for All), and most of the time we are talking about better access to top level healthcare in rural communities. One might not think of 5T as something that increases equal access, but it does. There are a number of prominent institutions and academic radiology chairs who have made a conscious decision not to invest in ultra-high field (UHF) MR. Even with deep physics expertise, access to clinical applications in all body parts have been limited due to the challenging physics at 7T. And many departments don't have the deep team of physicists that is traditionally required to support an ultra-high field magnet. Because of the inherent physics and the system design, the 5T will be a much more accessible UHF system to install and operate than even a modern 7T.


HCB News: When we think of 7T systems, we tend to think of brain imaging. Do you see 5T contributing to the same type of exams, or are the use cases different?
JB: That's exactly the point. 7T systems have shown exciting results for neuro applications, and there are great academic physicists and physicians who continue to drive and explore those applications. However, the idea for 5T came with the aim to move beyond what can be done at 3T in as many applications as possible. There is a lot of technology behind the overall solution, starting with a very homogeneous magnet and a broad array of clinical coils designed and manufactured by United Imaging. Perhaps most important was the commitment to develop a parallel transmit system with an eight-channel whole body transmit coil. Creating a uniform RF excitation to deliver B1 homogeneity remains challenging at 3T and is a severe impediment to 7T for all body parts. This effectively makes it impossible to realize the potential of the higher signal that comes with UHF magnets. Multi-transmit systems have been designed to overcome this limitation; however, safety and prohibitive energy deposition at 7T has limited its use in the body. UHF imaging over the entire body is now feasible at 5T using an 8-channel body transmit coil and up to 80% lower SAR, as compared to 7T according to simulation. The result is a homogeneous image with up to 67% more signal, as compared to 3T, that can deliver much higher resolution and/or greatly reduced scan times for all body parts. This will drive new applications over the entire body.

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