GE Signa Excite 1.5T MRI Operator Manual

Signa Excite 1.5T MRI by GE healthcare. Full library of training resources and step-by-step guides available for GE MRI operator manual. The Signa Excite series MRI scanner offers 11x software level on the new HP xw8000 computer platform. Upgraded multicoil imaging utilizes up to 8 receive channel paths for optimal image quality. Learn more about the GE Signa Excite series below.

We update this GE Signa Excite 1.5T MRI technologist resource as we publish new content. Check back often for the most up to date procedures.

Important Note: This guide is not intended to teach MRI theory. It is necessary for the MRI operator to have sufficient knowledge of the modality to safely perform MRI scan procedures. Before continuing, see disclaimer below.

GE Signa Excite 1.5T MRI Technical Specifications

• Host Computer: HP xw8000
• Operating Software: 11x
• Monitor: Dual Flat Panel 19″ LCD Display
• Magnet Type: CXK4 LCC (low cryogen consumption)
• Receive Channels: 8
• Bore Width: 60 cm
• Scan FOV: 48 cm
• Patient Weight Limit: 350lbs
• Magnet Strength: 1.5 Tesla
• Gradient Slew Rate: 33 mT/m up to 120 mT/m/ms
  

MRI Upgrades and New Features

The GE Signa Excite MRI system is equipped with a new Linux-based HP xw8000 for faster processing compared to the SGI Octane computer. The MOD drive is now located on the desktop for easy access. Switching between the workstation and secondary monitor has never been easier, just move your mouse cursor off the screen in either the up or down direction to switch screens. The GE Signa Excite 1.5T MRI scanner reduces pre-scan times by storing the previous scan sequence values and providing offset corrections. This upgrade alone dramatically reduces overall exam times per patient. The most notable upgrade to the GE MRI platform is the introduction of functional MRI (fMRI). Single shot gradient echo planar imaging pulse sequences aid in visualizing areas of the brain showing heightened activity while performing tasks.

GE Signa Excite 1.5T Software Options

• TRICKS
• Vibrant
• SSFSE
• Dual Echo FGRE/FSPGR
• 2D Fast TOF GRE/SPGR and FGRE/FSPGR
• FSE
• FIESTA-C
• 3D FIESTA with Cardiac Gating
• 3D FGRE with Cardiac Gating and IR-Prep
• Improvements in image quality: 2D FSE, FSE-XL, FSE-IR, FRFSE-XL, FLAIR T1, and FLAIR T2

Signa Excite Applications

1. Disk capacity for 256 and 512 imaging matrices. Bar below reflects overall image limit as a percentage.

2. Reflects current error. Click anywhere inside the box to populate error log.

3. Desktops (left to right, top row) Scan: perform all patient MRI scans from this desktop Icon, Protocol: Edit, add and delete MRI protocols. Display: View image archive browser to access all saved image data. (left to right, bottom row) Archive and Network: Network and archive image data, Service: Calibration Protocols, configuration files and other critical system functions, and
InSite: Contact GE support virtual assistant (subscription may be necessary)

4. (Left to right) Reflects reconstruction, filming, archiving, and networking status.

GE Signa Excite 1.5T MRI Daily Procedures

Power On Procedure:

Click here to view the GE MRI Power On Procedure (Step-by-step Article) or you can view the video version on the MRIPETCTSOURCE YouTube Channel

Shutdown Procedure

GE MRI Shutdown Procedure step-by-step video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etqCVWIhDKQ&t=8s

GE MRI TPS Reset Procedure:

Video: How to Reset TPS (GE MRI)

Startup MRI System

The following steps describe how to power system on and login to GE Signa Excite applications.

1. Begin by pressing the on/off button to restart the computer if it is currently off. The power indicator light becomes visible when the power is on.
2. When the Login prompt appears, position the cursor in the appropriate field and enter Signa.
3. Then, place the cursor in the password field and type adw2.0
4. Wait for MRI applications to load completely (about 7 to 12 minutes) before interacting with system. White screen will disappear when MRI applications is ready.

How To check MRI helium levels

How To Save Raw Data

To get started, click on Service Desktop Icon on the Control panel. Then click Utilities.
Choose Raw File Manager from the list. Click Start to initiate the process.

From the Options menu, select a method to save the raw data. Save by Pass saves the entire series, while save by slice only save the selected slices.

Pick the desired data from the TPS area. Click TPS to Disk to save the selected data. Close the RawFileMngr window by selecting File then Exit.

GE MRI (QA) Quality Assurance Procedures

Before scanning patients, perform a QA scan to make sure the system is functioning correctly. Perform Daily QA procedure and the Head Coil QA procedure to ensure optimum image quality. Both procedures make use of the QA phantom. Run both QA procedures after positioning the phantom. Create a protocol procedure for faster workflow.

GE Signa Excite MRI Daily QA Protocol

GE Signa Excite MRI Daily QA Procedure

1. Click [New Patient].
2. Enter the following: Patient ID = Profile, Weight = 100, and any other tracking data required by your site.
3. Position the QA in the head coil base. Ensure phantom is level and is seated in all the way.
4. Slide the head coil over the phantom. The axial black line on the phantom should line up with the top as you slide the head coil cover over it.
5. Press Laser Alignment Light.
6. Press In Slow to center the alignment light over the axial line on the phantom.
7. Press the Landmark Button.
8. Press Move To Scan to move the coil and phantom to magnet isocenter.
9. Return to the operator workspace and enter the protocol listed below.
10. Click [Save Series].
11. Click [Auto Prescan]. Once scan is completed, record R1, R2, and TG and center frequency (AX) values. This can useful tracking information for troubleshooting image quality issues.
12. Click [Scan].
13. Perform another scan in the coronal and sagittal plane. (Record values, similar to step 11).

Scroll through the daily QA images and verify images are free of artifact. Contact your service engineer if you notice a degradation of image quality.

Head Coil QA Procedure

After completing the Daily QA procedure, continue with the Head Coil QA procedure.

Head Coil QA Protocol

Scroll through the daily QA images and verify images are free of artifact. Contact your service engineer if you notice a degradation of image quality.

Measure SNR- GE MRI DQA Procedure

Start by selecting the DQA series in the image browser and then click on Viewer. Once the viewer window populates, click on Measure. Select the Circular ROI Icon. At this point a circular ROI will appear over your scanned DQA image in the viewer window. Click and drag on the circular ROI to resize. Record mean signal and standard deviation values at I21, 0 and S21 slice locations.

Place a second circular ROI over your scanned DQA image by clicking Measure and selecting the Circular ROI Icon on the left toolbar. Move the new circular ROI outside the scan window so that the entire circle is covering a black area (noise). Record mean signal and standard deviation values. Use these values to calculate SNR for all three slice locations.

Save, Edit, Delete Protocols

GE Signa Excite Protocol Building Tool

To start building a new protocol, begin by clicking the Protocol Manager Desktop icon in the control panel. Then, click on Protocol Rx from the Protocol Prescription area.

*Please note that the Schedule Rx button will only appear if you have purchased the ConnectPro Plus option.

Next, click New Protocol in the Protocol Rx area. Doing so will make the Patient Information and Patient Position areas available for use.

Edit MRI Protocol Scan Parameters

You can enter the necessary parameters for the protocol prescription. When building protocols, it is important to note that one does not need to fill in every text box. This allows you to create protocols even if you don’t know the exact parameters for every text box, window, or area. When you use the protocol, you can “fill in the blanks” to meet the requirements for the current patient.

The system prompts you to enter data in the text box before continuing if a required entry is missing.

Start by entering the Imaging Parameters information. You must fill in the mode and pulse sequence text boxes to view the remaining areas and windows.. Then, enter the Scan Timing parameters. Click the Additional Parameters icons as needed and complete the applicable information.

Next, enter the Acquisition Timing parameters and the Scanning Range parameters. If this is the first series of a protocol, enter a scan range (For example: scan plane sagittal, type L40 in the Start text box and type R40 in the End text box). If you plan to use Graphic Rx and it is not the first series of the protocol, you don’t need to enter any data in the Start/End locations.

Once you’ve entered all the necessary parameters, click Save Series. The series status in the Protocol Manager changes from INRX (in prescription) to RXD (prescribed).

*If no additional series are needed, proceed to step 7. If another series is needed, click New Series from the Protocol Manager to add another series to the protocol and repeat steps 3 to 5.

Save Protocol with Name and Category

When all necessary scan series have been created, click Save Rx as Protocol on the Protocol Manager. Assign a category and name your protocol. To do so, click the button to the right of Protocol Category and select a category from the pre-defined list. Then, enter a unique name in the Protocol Name text box, for example, Claustrophobic Brain.

Finally, enter your password in the Protocol Password text box. Please note that passwords are case-sensitive. If Other is selected as the Protocol Category, a password isn’t required to save the prescription as a protocol. A password is only required if the Protocol Lockout feature is active.

Once you’ve entered your password, click Accept to save the protocol and return to the Protocol Prescription area. The protocol is now saved in the Site library. To begin the protocol building process again, click the Protocol Rx button.

Delete a Site Protocol

Quick steps: 1. Click on Protocol Manager Desktop icon. 2. Click Protocol Rx. 3. Select desired site library from patient protocols menu. 4. Select appropriate anatomical region on humanoid icon. 5. Select the protocol you wish to delete from the list. 6. Right-click on the same protocol and select Protocol Cut. 7. Enter your password (if applicable), then click Accept. 8. Click Confirm to permanently remove protocol from library. 9. Click Backup, then Cancel to exit.

Save Site Protocols to MOD

Quick steps: 1. Begin by inserting a new MOD into the disk drive. 2. Open the control panel and locate the Service Desktop icon, then click on it. 3. Within the Service Desktop Manager, proceed by clicking on Utilities. 4. To navigate through the Utilities list, simply click and drag the slider, selecting the Save/Restore/Print Protocols option. 5. Initiate the process by clicking Start. 6. Choose the protocol category that meets your requirements.

7. Optionally, you can select a specific protocol from the middle column if needed. 8. Similarly, if desired, pick the series to be saved from the right column. 9. Execute the action by clicking Save. 10. If you have completed the saving process, click Continue to format the MOD and store the chosen series onto the MOD device. 11. Access the Protocol Selection menu and select Media to ensure that the protocols have been successfully saved to the MOD. 12. Once confirmed, close the protUtilShel window by clicking Exit. Finally, eject the MOD by clicking OK. This concludes the procedure.

GE Signa Excite 1.5T MRI Saturation Basics

You can prescribe SAT pulses on a localizer image from a valid series either explicitly or graphically. A series is considered valid if it is prospective, orthogonal or oblique, and has the same landmark.

The application of RF and gradient pulses decreases SNR in specific locations where spatial SAT has been supplied. To saturate an entire area of tissue or suppress specific chemical components, you can apply SAT pulses spatially or chemically.

Spatial Saturation

Before the slice-selective excitation pulse, 90° RF pulses are applied as spatial saturation pulses to anatomy outside or inside the imaging volume. These pulses saturate the nuclei, preventing their signal from contributing to the image.

The 90° slice excitation pulse is applied shortly after the SAT pulse. Tissues affected by the SAT pulses do not recover adequately. This results in little or no longitudinal magnetization to excite and produce a signal. A dephasing gradient is applied immediately after the SAT pulse to dephase the spins in the SAT pulse region. The combination of RF and gradient pulses decreases SNR in the locations where spatial SAT has been applied.

There are three types of Spatial SAT: Conventional SAT (SAT outside of the FOV), Concatenated SAT, and SAT in FOV.

Conventional SAT (SAT outside the FOV)

Conventional Spatial SATs outside the FOV are useful in suppressing the signal from protons that move within the imaging FOV. They are often utilized in cardiac imaging, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines, body, joints, and axial heads.

To minimize signal from protons flowing into the FOV, an extra RF pulse is applied outside the FOV by a conventional SAT pulse. If blood is flowing along the slice-select axis, it enters and exits the slices from outside the imaging volume, without experiencing RF excitation. Spatial presaturation can reduce the signal from moving spins by saturating them before they enter the area being imaged.

To saturate blood that flows into the slice and causes flow-related artifact, SAT pulses are applied in the slice-select direction.

Concatenated SAT

To achieve even more effective suppression of motion in the slice-select direction of concatenated acquisitions, concatenated SAT makes spatial SAT move along with slice-select acquisitions. SAT pulses are automatically applied when the Concat SAT button is selected and the following scan conditions are met:

• Rx must be compatible with concatenated SAT.
• A SAT band is prescribed in the slice-select direction without explicit instructions.
• More slices than a single TR can accommodate are prescribed resulting in a concatenated scan.
• The thicknesses of each slice of a pair, in the slice-select direction, are equal.

With concatenated SAT activated, SAT overall performance improves, particularly when there is blood flow in the slice-select directions and when the scanning range is large enough to give presaturated protons time to recover before they reach the middle slices. Also, when the SAT pulses are outside the scanning range.

If you select Concatenated SAT, the system divides the scanning range into groups of contiguously ordered slices. For each acquisition, it moves the slice-select SAT pulses to presaturate regions outside of the acquisition range. For example, in a 10-slice, 2 acquisition prescription, the SAT pulses would be applied first around slices 1 to 5 and then around slices 6 to 10. Subgrouping is affected by slice spacing since the acquisitions are grouped in contiguous order.

Spatial Concatenated SATs enhance SAT performance during scans by saturating tissue before acquiring each slice, minimizing flow-related artifacts, and maintaining the effectiveness of slice-select SAT pulses over large scanning ranges.

Concatenated SAT Scan Considerations

When using Spatial Concatenated SATs, several factors should be considered. These include the possibility of getting fewer slices per TR due to the increased time required to apply SAT pulses, increased SAR, and increased application of gradients. Additionally, at least one default band in the slice select direction must exist. It’s important to note that a concatenated acquisition does not automatically concatenate the SAT pulses. The [Concat SAT] button must be selected, and there must be SAT pulses selected in the slice direction. Concatenated acquisition and concatenated SAT are entirely independent functions.

SAT in the FOV

The effectiveness of saturation may be greatly affected by the thickness of the pulse. Generally, better saturation is achieved with thinner pulses because the RF power is focused over a smaller area. For example, if only 40 mm of tissue needs to be saturated, a 40 mm wide SAT pulse should be used. However, if the tissue area is larger, the area of suppression may be smaller and not all unwanted tissue may be suppressed.

Spatial SATs moved inside the FOV are useful for suppressing tissue motion that occurs within the imaging FOV, such as the anterior abdominal wall, descending aorta when imaging the lumbar and thoracic spine, swallowing motion for the cervical spine, and signal from tissue at the edge of the FOV, reducing wraparound.

SAT in the FOV Scan Considerations

When imaging with spatial SATs, some factors to consider are:

• The use of SAT in the FOV over or near an air-tissue interface may result in a loss of saturation due to susceptibility.

• When using SAT pulses in very large FOV (48 cm) scans, the SAT bands may appear to bend outward at the bottom and the top of the image due to the magnetic field remapping process (GradWARP – Conformal Remapping) that occurs. However, this bend of the SAT pulse can be used to advantage by moving the pulse closer to the anatomy in the middle.

• Overlapping SAT bands can result in artifacts.

• The application of SAT pulses takes time and increases the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). Therefore, the number of slices available may be reduced.

• Directional pairs of SAT pulses (S, I or R, L or A, P) with the same thickness and tilt (Hadamard pairs) can be applied in 8 ms. If the pair has different thicknesses or tilts, they are applied individually, causing a further reduction in the number of slices that can be acquired per TR.

In summary, when using spatial SATs, it is important to consider the thickness of the pulse, the location within the FOV, directional pairs of SAT pulses, overlapping SAT bands, and the potential reduction in the number of slices available due to the application of SAT pulses.

GE Signa Excite 1.5T MRI Scanning Applications

Select Existing Scan Protocol

If you want to choose an existing protocol for scanning, follow these steps. First, click the Scan Rx Desktop icon located in the control panel. Then, click on New Patient in the Patient Protocol area and enter the necessary patient data.

To select the protocol library, click the button to the right of Patient Protocols and choose the appropriate option. If you select GE, you can access pre-programmed protocols, while selecting Site will enable you to access protocols that you have previously created and saved.

Next, you can select the desired protocol category by clicking on an anatomical region of the Humanoid icon or by typing in a protocol name in the Protocol text box. Afterward, select the desired protocol category from the left side of the Protocol and Series Description window, and choose the desired series from the right side of the window.

If you want to download all series, you only need to select the protocol, but if you wish to download non-sequential series, click the selected series.

Finally, click Accept to load the selected series into the Rx Manager.

Auto Prescan (and Failures)

Auto Prescan (APS) streamlines scanning by automatically modifying the center frequency, as well as the transmit and receive gains. Following a successful APS, these adjusted values become visible in the message section. Employing APS ensures an optimal, precise, and uniform prescan procedure.

Whenever a new series undergoes prescanning, the system references prior prescan data from within the examination to compute essential factors like center frequency, transmit gain, and receive gain. As a result, the duration of each prescan can differ from one series to another.

GE Signa Excite Auto Prescan Procedure

Quick steps: 1. After filling in all patient data and protocol parameters, click on Auto Prescan from the dropdown at the bottom of the screen. 2. Wait for “Auto Prescan Completed Successfully” message, then click Scan to begin acquisition.

Auto Prescan Failed

The system displays an “Auto Prescan Failed” message when it can’t calibrate scan values automatically. This error can result from various reasons, and you can find additional information in the message log. Common causes include:

1. Auto Prescan Failed. Table not at scan plane: Press the Move To Scan button and wait for patient to reach isocenter before starting auto prescan.
2. Auto Prescan Failed. RF amplifier not ready: Wait for the RF amplifier to enter Ready state. “RF amplifier ready” appears in the message area once RF amplifier is ready. If message does not clear after 18 minutes, consider calling system support.
3. Auto Prescan Incomplete, Set AX manually: Occurs during Fat Sat sequences when system cannot discern water peak from fat peak. Click Manual Prescan and set desire peak. Click Accept then proceed to scan.
4. Auto Prescan Failed TR Driver Fault: Occurs when MRI coils do not have a stable connection. Check all coil connections, consider removing and reconnecting, then attempt to rescan. If issue persists, check error message log for additional details regarding failure. Call MRI system support, if necessary.

Manual Prescan

Quick steps: 1. To get started, click on Manual Prescan in the Scan Operations area. Within the Transceiver Hardware Settings area, select Center Freq Coarse (CFL) by clicking on it. Adjust the actual frequency value by either inputting the precise frequency (keypad) or shifting the midpoint using the Delta Freq (DX) slider (left-click). Once the adjustment is made, activate your selection by clicking on Apply. To align the peak with the center line, repeat the actions outlined in steps 3 and 4 as necessary.

To progress further in the Manual Prescan process and attain an optimal flip angle, see the “Adjust the Transmit Gain” procedure below.

MPS Adjust Transmit Gain

Conclusion

We are adding new content daily so make sure to check back for the latest radiology resources. See the additional links below for more helpful articles, guides and manuals for GE Signa Excite 1.5T MRI.

Additional Resources

Technologist Resources Page is the parent directory for our GE MRI technical resources.

GE MRI Operator Manual Procedures focuses solely on providing the best resources for each of the GE MRI scanner models. Can’t find what you are looking for? User requests are always welcome! Contact Us Here!

The MRIPTECTSOURCE YouTube channel features additional video resources to supplement our growing library of MRI articles. Make sure to view our GE MRI curated playlists.

Video Resources

• GE MRI TPS Reset Procedure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNsxwwGXkLc&list=PLtf-HQ_b5QfHGX2o9IQNltm-J6m2_ykCM&index=36
• Save MRI Protocols and save info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjUvNC8HyMo&list=PLtf-HQ_b5QfHGX2o9IQNltm-J6m2_ykCM&index=33
• Power On Procedure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_YMVv5xirs&list=PLtf-HQ_b5QfHGX2o9IQNltm-J6m2_ykCM&index=32
• Shutdown Procedure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etqCVWIhDKQ&t=8s
• GE MRI DQA Procedure (daily quality assurance): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzXHxo8_fxE
• All videos listed above are published on the GE MRI operator manual playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtf-HQ_b5QfHGX2o9IQNltm-J6m2_ykCM

Helpful Resources

MRI Cold Head Failure FAQ

Healthcare Cyber Attack Survival Guide

15 Tips to Reduce Patient No-Show Rates

Best Radiology Software

Types of MRI Explained: Which One is Right for You?

GE CT Reconstruction Error Troubleshooting Tips

Worst MRI Accidents: A Case Study

Free Cancer Patient Care Package, Gifts and More!

The information provided by MRIPETCTSOURCE (“we,” “us,” or “our”) on https://www.medicalimagingsource.com (the “Site”) is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.