Over the years, GE has been one of the most prevalent medical imaging equipment providers in the world. In the MRI space, they have earned their status as a frontrunner with the introduction of innovative systems like the GE Optima 450w Wide Bore.
The installation base of the Optima 450w has grown quickly in the last several years. We believe this growth is due to several key features we’ll share here.
70-Centimeter Bore Diameter
The bore size of the 450w is an even match for its closest competitor, the Siemens Espree. While ten centimeters (just shy of 4 inches for you Imperial system users) might not seem like a lot of extra space to the average person, it can make a very big difference in the comfort of larger patients or patients who suffer from claustrophobia.
50-Centimeter Field of View (FOV)
A frequent criticism levied against wide-bore magnets is that their image quality begins to decline around the periphery of the image. The 450w answers this concern with a 50-centimeter FOV, paving the way for its use in a wide range of diagnostic exams.
High-Fidelity Gradients
For providers who plan to perform specialized studies outside the bread-and-butter scanning of a typical patient load, the 450w’s gradient class makes it a good pick for cardiac and diffusion imaging. With a gradient slew rate, or “rise time”, of 150, the 450w yields thinner anatomical slices and higher image clarity than many of its contemporaries.
See a comparison of gradient slew rates from popular MRI models
The Takeaway
If wide-bore comfort that doesn’t sacrifice image quality is the criteria, the Optima 450w should be a notable contender on any equipment buyer’s short list. If you would like to have more information about the 450w or other MRI models, our team is ready to assist. Use the button below to tell us about your project and how we can help make it happen.
Josh Block
Josh Block is the President of Block Imaging. As a part of the second generation of Blocks to lead Block Imaging, Josh carries on the family passion for putting people first, delivering memorable service, and improving lives all over the world by empowering medical care providers with high-quality equipment. Aside from work Josh enjoys being a husband and dad, playing golf. And, before turning 40, Cheetos and cherry coke.