Every time we found ourselves starting to compromise, we started over
PROTOTYPE: The breakthrough of getting everything to work together
Our first working prototype was a simple, four-channel coil pieced together completely by hand. Even though it was only a glimmer of what AIR Technology™ would eventually be, once we demonstrated how it worked, its potential captured the imaginations of our peers.
AIR Technology™ Behind the Scenes Film
technology
This simple loop breaks every mold
It took two separate, but simultaneous research projects to develop the innovative technologies at the heart of AIR Technology™.
Together, they consolidate the functionality of the coil for efficiency. This simplified design is the basis for a revolutionary coil that
is lighter, offers more flexibility and provides greater coverage.*
Conductor loop Flexibility that's way ahead of the curve
Sometimes the right material can be the linchpin to a breakthrough
innovation. For AIR Technology™, it was the conductor material for
the loop. Lightweight and bendable, this series of linked resonators
replaces what used to be rigid circuit boards and lumped
components. It’s the flexible core of our form fitting coil design.
It turns out you can out-engineer conventional wisdom
Developing a light, flexible loop is one thing, but finding a way to control loop-to-loop interactions was no small feat of
engineering. Because of the low profile and performance of the E-mode electronics module, we were able to place it right at the
base of each loop where it can better control the surrounding magnetic and electric fields. This allowed us to break free from
critical overlap restrictions and arrange elements closer together.
comfort
Like being wrapped in a blanket
We wanted to design a coil that would free patients from the experience of traditional coils by replacing that experience with one
that is both comfortable and comforting. For inspiration, we turned to objects that bring us comfort in our own lives. Using these
objects as our guide, we designed AIR Technology™ to provide a feeling of warmth and security. Like being wrapped in a blanket.
Form fitting for every form
From young patients to professional athletes, AIR Technology™ comfortably conforms to the size and shape of every patient.
Not only does this improve the scan experience, it has the added benefit of improving image quality by bringing the elements
closer to your patient.
Light to the touch
AIR Technology™ not only behaves like a blanket, it truly feels like one. Its light weight is evenly distributed without any
concentrated points of pressure. This may help patients feel more at ease, especially those who struggle with claustrophobia. It
can comfortably be placed over sensitive areas and it’s light enough to use with young patients.
positioning
Welcome everyone with a faster, more comfortable experience
Technologists are faced with the challenge of keeping patients calm and relaxed through an unfamiliar experience, which often
requires putting them into awkward positions. AIR Technology™ improves this experience with a coil that is light, form
fitting and easy to position, so you can greet your patients with a faster, more comfortable exam.
Just holding these coils will inspire new ways to image
With AIR Technology™, the shape of the coil no longer determines what you can do with it. You can put them right where you want
them. Wrap it around a knee for a complete knee image. Or drape it over the torso of a high BMI patient. You can even move it
from a hip to a knee on the same patient without having to move them. It’s the closest we’ve come to total positioning freedom.
Ready to know
AIR Touch™ is part of our collection of intelligent patient recognition solutions. It’s predictive and proactive. It knows which
coils are in place, which elements to use and how best to optimize them for each patient. By the time you’re ready to scan,
you already know you’re going to get the best image possible for your patient.
images
Get closer to what you need to see
Since the very first MR, coils have been both a bridge and a barrier between radiologists and what they need to see.
The flexibility of AIR Technology™ makes it less of a barrier. By bringing the elements closer to the area-of-interest, it
improves image quality. It also opens up opportunities to image patient types and anatomies that previously were
challenging to image with conventional coil designs.
future
We can’t think of anything it can’t do
It’s amazing what’s possible when you don’t compromise on design. With the introduction of these new coils, we are only just beginning
to discover all that AIR Technology™ can do. We already have some exciting future applications in the works. What’s more, this amazing
technology won’t be limited to one system. Look for AIR Technology™ on more GE Healthcare MR systems coming soon.
*Compared to previous generations of conventional coil technology
