Magnets

Philips unveiled their new systems, the Intera Achieva 1.5T and 3T. The magnets are essentially the same as for their existing systems, but will sport the new look that incorporates the "Ambient Experience" theme, which aims to reduce anxiety in patients by having a relaxing look and atmosphere.

Philips claim that the Intera Achieva 3T will have the shortest bore of any 3T system on the market.

Shipping of the new systems is due to start in the second quarter of 2004.

RF System

The Achieva currently has an 8-channel or 16-channel RF system but this will be expandable to 32-channels in the future. For existing Intera systems, Philips expects 16-channel RF systems to be available by the third quarter of 2004.

Philips FREEWAVE technology will be implemented in the 32-channel architecture, giving 100% digital radiofrequency sampling. Each channel will have a high-bandwidth, 2MHz digitiser.

New multi-element, multi-channel coils that will be available soon
are a Neurovascular coil, spine coil, head and extremity coils and a wrist coil.

Philips also announced improvements in the coil connectors, with new strain-relieve connectors.

Gradients
A new gradient system was also revealed. The Quasar Dual gradient system will provide a gradient strength of 80mT/m and a slew rate of 200mT/m/s.

Applications

New developments in applications software were also described. MobiFlex is a system that will change the matrix size to 512x512 to allow the user to focus in on a specific region of interest.

MobiView will allow fusion of multiple images.