Allen Song, PhD
Professor of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine and Director, Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center (BIAC)
What an exciting year for GE Healthcare MR! Now equipped with the most complete and advanced lineup of clinical systems and research scanners, as well as imaging software that enables seamless workflows to achieve the most accurate and efficient diagnosis throughout the body, GE MR is positioned better than ever in its continued quest to elevate radiology.
As usual, the advances presented in this issue, based on the state-of-the-art imaging hardware and software, are just some of the “HyperSense” sampling of how GE MR is expanding the role of radiology in healthcare. Not only are we improving the accuracy of our diagnoses, we are also enabling early detection of various diseases, and helping to plan new treatment options. Specifically, GE continues to innovate its AIRTM family of products... and it’s not just the remarkable AIRTM Coils, including the new AIRTM Multi-Purpose Coils*. You can read how AIR xTM is making a difference in imaging workflow and radiology reading and learn about the new AIRTM Recon DL‡, a deep learning- based convolutional neural network that delivers amazing image quality.
In this issue, you can also read how GE customers are reaping the rewards of the SIGNATM ContinuumTM from the US to Africa to Japan and New Zealand. There is something for everyone in the world of radiology in this edition — literally. From the head to the toe, GE has you covered.
To me personally, it was an incredible experience to have had the opportunity to work with the most talented and dedicated editorial staff, along with fellow scientists and engineers, to bring some of the clinical and research highlights to our community. They work tirelessly behind the scenes so users such as you and me can be in the spotlight. I am also extremely pleased and excited to announce that Dr. Scott Reeder from the University of Wisconsin Madison will take on the honor as the guest editor for the coming year. I look forward to learning the continued success and excitement from our vibrant MR community for many years to come.
"It is with our warmest appreciation that we thank Dr. Allen Song for his guidance and leadership as the first SIGNA™ Pulse of MR Guest Editor. He has shared ideas and topics that we’ve covered in 2019 and has helped us to think bigger and broader on the global impact of MR imaging. We are indebted to him for his passion and expertise in furthering MR education throughout our community and beyond."
The SIGNATM Pulse of MR Editorial Board
‡510(k) pending at the US FDA. Not yet CE marked. Not available for sale.
*Not yet CE marked. Not available for sale in all regions.
Scott B. Reeder, MD, PhD
Professor, H.I. Romnes Faculty Fellow, Vice Chair of Research and Chief of MRI at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Originally from Canada, Dr. Reeder has made Madison, Wisconsin, his home since he joined the University of Wisconsin in 2005. It’s not just that close proximity to GE Healthcare that has made him a valued research partner. Since his graduate days at Johns Hopkins University and Stanford University, he developed friendships with many MR experts who have spent their careers at GE.
While studying for his undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics at Queen’s University in Ontario, Dr. Reeder participated in a summer research project using “magnetic flux leakage devices” for detection of corrosion pits in the Trans-Canada oil pipeline. It was there that he discovered his passion for engineering, physics and non-invasive testing. Yet, the human connections that are inherent in medicine continued to draw him in and MR was the perfect combination for him to explore his interests in engineering and medicine.
“The best part of my job is mentoring a diverse group of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, residents, clinical fellows, visiting scholars and junior faculty.” Dr. Reeder says. “I'm also lucky to have had many opportunities in MR imaging, but perhaps my proudest achievement is the development of IDEAL IQ for quantitative liver fat and iron imaging.”
Looking back on the last 20 years that he’s collaborated with GE, his most memorable moment was working with the MR clinical and engineering teams to perform the first clinical validation of the DiscoveryTM MR750 3.0T system.
When asked what he believes will be the most significant advancement in MR in the next five years, he jokes, “If I knew that, I’d be writing a grant on that idea right now.” Seriously, though, he sees the potential for machine learning to unleash the future of image reconstruction, image analysis, workflow and computer-assisted diagnosis in MR.
Dr. Reeder adds, “The potential for machine learning to transform how we perform MR cannot be understated."
Eric Stahre
After 35 years with GE, I have decided to retire. I came to GE MR from GE Aerospace in 1996, and now I have the honor and privilege to close out my career leading the MR business. Working with clinicians and researchers like you, who are molding the future of patient care, has been the most inspiring part of this job.
MR and its nearly endless potential will play a critical role in enabling precision medicine. Your vision of that future is powering the development of faster, smarter, more adaptable and consistently repeatable MR technologies. Technologies like AIRTM Coils, which adapt to patients — unlike traditional coils that require patients to adapt — are setting new industry standards for patient comfort and consistently better image quality. And technologies like deep learning-based AI are automating scan prescriptions, enabling faster acquisitions, and reconstructing better images. Thank you for inspiring us.
As you’ve heard me say at ISMRM meetings, many of the innovations in our products are invented by you or with you. We need you to advance MR. That’s what makes MR truly unique. Thank you for 36 years of collaboration, especially on innovations that have made their way into publications, product and clinical use. Thank you for your passion for invention to improve patient care, and thank you for partnering with GE to push MR technology beyond its former limits.
And on a personal note, I’ve cherished every interaction with you. Thank you for inspiring me, challenging me and making my GE Healthcare career truly gratifying. I have come to know many of you as friends and will dearly miss you as well as this business.
I’m excited to introduce Jie Xue as the new President & CEO of GE MR — many of you may know her already from her time leading the 1.5T MR product segment. She most recently led our X-Ray business and has over 20 years of GE Healthcare experience, beginning as an Edison Engineer. She helped build our portfolio of SIGNATM scanners, which she will now lead and advance to new heights. I’m confident Jie will foster a culture of strong partnership with you to deliver tomorrow’s game-changing innovations.
The changes we’ve seen in imaging over the decades and its impact on the quality of healthcare is astounding, and I know MR will continue to shape the future of patient care. I can’t wait to see where you, Jie and the GE MR team will take MR.
Let’s stay in touch,
Eric Stahre
Jie Xue
I’m thrilled to be coming back to GE MR and this great modality. The five years I spent in MR were some of the most rewarding and illuminating of my career. I continue to be amazed by the power of MR and its potential to push the boundaries of what’s possible in imaging. I look forward to getting to know you, the researchers and clinicians who are challenging what’s possible today to create the MR of tomorrow.
Collaboration is a critical component of what makes GE MR successful and I thank you for working with us to make our products better, smarter, faster and more comfortable. MR holds a unique spot in imaging — by paving the future of imaging through cutting-edge research. It is fascinating to imagine where MR and healthcare as a whole will go with the potential of AI becoming a reality.
Thank you to Eric for the warm welcome. I look forward to working with you all and bringing MR technology to more people and places around the world.
