GE HealthCare launches Sonic DL

GE HealthCare has launched Sonic DL, a deep-learning software application designed to accelerate MR image acquisition.

The software, which has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance, acquires high-quality MR images up to 12 times faster than conventional methods, enabling cardiac imaging within a single heartbeat, GE HealthCare said in a press release. The risk of motion artifacts is significantly reduced by its speed, according to the company.

Sonic DL's rapid image acquisition functionality is also expected to simplify performing cardiac MRI on patients with arrhythmias, heart failure, or have difficulty holding their breath during the lengthy exam time of this imaging procedure, the vendor said. Although cardiac MRI is the gold standard for assessing the structure and function of the heart in cardiovascular disease, the technology's current acquisition speed isn't fast enough to capture the heart's contraction in real-time, requiring several heartbeats and multiple breath-holds.

Furthermore, its ability to reduce cardiac MRI scan times by up to 83% is expected to help increase MR suite workflow, minimize exam scheduling backlogs, and enhance radiology department productivity, according to GE HealthCare.