BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 21, 2008 – GE Healthcare is launching today its new Signa Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Oncology Package at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th annual meeting in Boston.

The Signa MRI Oncology Package, a dedicated oncology solution, enhances magnetic resonance imaging for radiation therapy planning and is compatible with the most widely used GE MRI systems.  The package consists of a detachable flat-surface patient table with indexed edges, flexible surface coils for high resolution imaging and treatment positioning aids.

“MRI is widely considered the modality of choice for imaging brain, spine and other soft tissue tumors,” said Bryan Van Meter, MRI global marketing manager for surgical and radiation oncology at GE Healthcare.  “We are committed to providing radiation oncologists and cancer centers with the tools to easily integrate high-definition MRI imaging into their treatment plans.”

Designed to facilitate patient positioning in the radiation treatment position, the Signa Oncology Package provides improved ease and consistency in co-registering MRI and computed tomography (CT) images.  It allows the exquisite soft-tissue contrast of MRI to be more easily and accurately fused with CT images by providing MRI images that are acquired in the same positioning as CT.   The result: precise fixation, optimized workflow and indexing.

“The package can provide clinicians with the enhanced accuracy, consistency and confidence required for the advanced radiation treatment systems of today,” says Michael Fritts, interventional MR business leader at GE Healthcare.  “Plus, radiation oncologists and cancer centers can now see and know more with the addition of the numerous advanced MR oncology applications offered by GE Healthcare."