3T SIGNA Architect Edmonton’s First GE 3T MRI
Insight Medical Imaging is proud to house the SIGNA Architect 3T at our Meadowlark Diagnostic Imaging clinic in west Edmonton. The SIGNA Architect is GE Healthcare’s most versatile, adaptable, and powerful magnetic resonance (MR) system ever. The state-of-the-art imaging solution combines advancements in MR technology with intuitive SIGNA Works productivity platforms to significantly improve diagnostic capability and efficiency.
Clear Advances with Clear Advantages
SIGNA Works utilizes total digital imaging (TDI), further advancing diagnostics and shortening exam times, while simultaneously improving patient experiences. The stronger magnetic field of the 3 Tesla MRI provides incredible clarity, capturing truly stunning images for diagnosis.
What Is a 3 Tesla MRI?
Tesla (T) is the unit of measurement quantifying the strength of a magnetic field. Prior to the 3 Tesla (3T) Machine, the high-field standard was 1.5 Tesla. Our scanner generates a magnetic field that is twice the strength of 1.5 Tesla machines and 10 to 15 times the strength of low field or open MRI scanners.
Benefits of Insight’s 3T SIGNA Architect
The strength of a 3 Tesla MRI yields many benefits for radiologists and their patients including:
- Higher-resolution providing fine anatomic detail beneficial for small joint and brain imaging.
- Increased reliability over the larger field of view, meaning there is reduced susceptibility to artifacts, distortion, and shading.
- Faster scan times for patients who have a difficult time holding still, limited mobility, or exam anxiety.
- Feet-first or head-first imaging for all scans creating a more pleasant, quicker, targeted exam.
- Real-time diaphragm tracking allowing patients to breath freely for most exams while simultaneously minimizing ghosting artifacts on imaging.
- A more comfortable memory foam surface on the scanning table to alleviate pressure points and help patients relax during their scan.
- The 70 CM bore tunnel gives the patients a wider opening and more space around them during the scan. This is extremely beneficial for anyone who suffers from mild claustrophobia.
- While traditional MR systems can be as loud as a rock concert (120 dB), SilentWorks technology used with our GE Architect is able to reduce the sound level for certain exams to roughly the same as ambient noise (40 dB).
- The new GE Healthcare system has a higher patient capacity; 500 lbs as opposed to 350lbs.
Risks of a 3T MRI
The most considerable safety concern in the MRI environment is the effect of the magnetic field on medical devices and implants. Just as some equipment is not transferrable from 1.5T to 3T environments, some medical devices that are safe at 1.5T are not safe at 3T.
Common devices that are not safe in a 3T magnetic field include pacemakers, stents, prosthesis, mechanical or electrical devices, as well as epicardial pacing wires.
3 Tesla MRI Side Effects
Currently, there are no known side effects of a 3 Tesla MRI scan.
Since the machine uses radio frequencies, magnetism, and computers to produce cross sectional images, items implanted in your body such as metal fragments or devices may be a safety concern.
Even though MRI does not emit ionizing radiation to generate images, Insight Medical Imaging still practices ALARA, or as low as reasonably achievable, principles, ensuring we do not conduct an exam unless there is a diagnostic or medical purpose.
1.5T vs. 3T MRI – What Is the Difference?
The main difference between a 1.5T and 3T MRI is image quality, which depends on signal and field strength.
1.5T machines are faster than open MRIs and ideal for abdomen or chest scans. 3T machines are twice as strong as 1.5T machines and can complete exams in a fraction of the time.
The increased signal strength allows a 3T MRI to provide exceptionally clear and vivid images ideal for brain or small joint analysis.
The difference in signal strength and magnetic field between 1.5T and 3T scanners is useful when scanning patients with certain implanted devices such as an epicardial pacing wire. While it is not safe to expose a patient with an epicardial pacing wire to a 3 Tesla environment, it is feasible to scan them under a 1.5 Tesla environment.
The difference in magnetic strength from the 1.5T and 3T scanners gives our radiologists flexibility to accommodate patients with a variety of health issues or implants. If our radiologist and MRI technologist determine that a 1.5 Tesla environment is the safer or more appropriate investigation, patients can rest assured that the images will be of very high quality to establish an accurate diagnosis. In the appropriate applications, both 1.5T and 3T MRI provides some of the most detailed studies in medical imaging.
MRI Price List
The cost for an MRI typically ranges from $600 to $1200, but this price may vary if additional sequences or contrast is needed to provide a complete exam. While community-based services such as private MRI are not covered by Alberta Health Care, certain insurance or employer benefit plans with a health spending account may cover either a large portion or possibly the entire imaging scan cost.
For more information, please speak to our Central Booking department at 780-669-2222.
| Abdomen or Pelvis | $800 |
| Abdomen and Pelvis | $1,200 |
| Liver Triple Screen | $1,000 |
| Liver Elastography | $800 |
| Soft-Tissue Neck | $800 (3T Only) |
| Soft-Tissue Single Site (Tumor, Chest Wall, etc.) | $800 |
| Prostate (Contrast Included) | $950 (3T Only) |
| Enterography | $950 |
| Brain (Routine) | $600 |
| Brain MS | $725 |
| Brain (Seizure, IAC, Orbits, Sella) | $750 |
| Brain MRI TOF | $750 |
| Spine (Each Area) | $600 |
| Brachial Plexus | $800 |
| Lumbosacral Plexus | $800 |
| Spondyloarthropathy | $1200 |
| Shoulder | $600 |
| Knee | $600 |
| Hip | $750 |
| Hip High-Res | $800 (3T Only) |
| Elbow | $750 |
| Wrist | $750 |
| Hand | $750 |
| Finger/Thumb | $800 (3T Only) |
| Ankle | $750 |
| Foot | $750 |
| Long Bone (Clavicle, Forearm, Scapula, Humerus, Sternum, Femur, Tib-Fib) | $600 |
| SI or SC Joint | $600 |
| Arthrogram | $800 |
| TMJ | $800 (3T Only) |
| Implants (No Contrast) | $800 |
| With Contrast | $950 |
| Combined Implant and Screening (With Contrast) | $1350 |
| MRA With Contrast | $950 |
| Contrast | $150 |
| One Scanned Area | Full Price |
| Each Additional Area (For exams done on the same day) | 50% Discount* |
Receive 50% off each additional area scanned on the same day.*
Seniors or return CT patients receive 10% off exams
Prices subject to change at any time without notice.
*Discount applies to lower priced procedure. Exclusions apply.
If multiple exams and senior/ return patient, 10% off higher priced exam and 50% off additional exams.
To submit your requisition form in advance, click here!
MRI Construction
The construction process of our MRI clinic, located at #200 Meadowlark Shopping Centre on 156 Street & 89 Avenue, took many months and a lot of manpower to accomplish. This state-of-the-art facility offers patients a comfortable and inviting waiting area, clean and spacious change rooms, and houses our powerful 1.5T & 3T magnets.
This time-lapse video documents the demolition and construction of this clinic.
30 Years of Innovation You Can Trust
The SIGNA Architect provides precision healthcare through intelligent adaptive MR technology.
Before the scan begins, data collected from electronic medical records (EMR) and radiology information systems (RIS) assist in protocol selection. The scanner is optimized, and artificial intelligence interprets live data to adjust parameters during the scan.
The result is faster scans, improved image quality, and more quantifiable data for our radiologists and your doctor. GE Healthcare’s most advanced MR ever empowers our team at Insight Medical Imaging to maximize patient benefits.