GE Healthcare received FDA clearance for the addition of 3D, motion-insensitive applications to their AIR Recon DL image reconstruction technology

GE Healthcare received FDA 510(k) clearance to add 3D imaging capabilities and PROPELLER technology as extensions to their AIR Recon DL magnetic resonance (MR) imaging reconstruction. At least 3.5 million patients worldwide currently use AIR Recon DL, and the 3D extension is expected to provide sharper images without requiring multiple 2D image acquisitions. It also widens the scope for patients with difficulty staying still during the scan due to its motion-insensitive capabilities.

AIR Recon DL was commercially released in 2020 for 2D imaging sequences. It collects raw data and assembles it to provide high-resolution images through its deep learning reconstruction algorithm and vastly trained neural network. AIR Recon DL offers a 50% reduction in scan time, better signal-to-noise ratio, and better image sharpness. It is compatible with all anatomies.

The periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) technology are used to capture data in a rotating fashion to obtain high signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise images. Due to oversampling, redundant and overlapping data could be obtained and corrected even if the person moves during the MRI scan. This is particularly beneficial for taking images of infants, elderly, and neurodegenerative disease patients who tend to move frequently.

AIR Recon DL with 3D and PROPELLER imaging sequences has not received CE marking yet and, therefore, is not available to use in all regions. Other companies and their products in this motion-compensation imaging space include Siemens – Blade, Philips – MultiVane, Hitachi – Radar, and Canon – JET.