GE HealthCare next-gen SIGNA MR technology helps advance research discovery and translate innovation into clinical impact

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the global magnetic resonance (MR) community convenes for the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) 2026 Annual Meeting, GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC) today announced advancements in research tools and MR systems that aim to accelerate discovery, strengthen collaboration across research programs, and turn innovation into meaningful clinical achievements.

GE HealthCare continues to invest in advanced MR technology with its next-generationSIGNATMMRsystems and research tools designed to help academic and clinical research programs move faster, work more collaboratively, and push the boundaries of discovery. By combining high-performance hardware with advanced software and deep learning–based techniques, these innovations are intended to reduce scanning and examination times, improve image quality, and enable more consistent data across sites and studies.

“Our focus at ISMRM 2026 is to enable the research ecosystem that helps researchers explore new questions, scale collaboration and translate discoveries more efficiently to broaden clinical impact,” said Kelly Londy, President & CEO, MR and Women’s Health at GE HealthCare. “From high-performance systems to collaboration resources for productive MR research, we are committed to giving researchers the tools they need to work together more effectively, explore new frontiers, and accelerate the path from discovery to patient experience.”

Expanding on GE HealthCare’s leadership in AI-enabled medical device 510(k) clearances,1GE HealthCare announced the U.S. FDA 510(k) pending status of its latest deep-learning acceleration technique,Sonic DL for 2D imagingbeyond cardiac cine2. Built on the foundation of previous Sonic DL technology for cardiac cine and 3D imaging, this latest solution will mean up to 85% of MR exams will benefit from the deep-learning acceleration of Sonic DL, which is further enhanced by compatibility with AIR Recon DL for 2D and 3D imaging and will further enhance the image quality and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of accelerated exams.

At the foundation of GE HealthCare’s latest MR capabilities isSIGNA One3, a new AI-powered, next-gen workflow ecosystem designed to simplify complexity, improve efficiency, and enable more consistent imaging across clinical and research environments. By addressing inefficiencies throughout the MRI workflow, SIGNA One helps increase throughput, reduce variability, and improve the experience for researchers, technologists and patients alike.

SIGNA One integrates a suite of core workflow solutions, including an intuitive and AI-guided user experience designed to minimize training time and support users of varying experience levels, as well as one-click switching between clinical and research modes4within an exam for seamless integration of research protocols within clinical workflows. Together, these capabilities are designed to support more seamless collaboration and reproducibility – critical enablers for advanced MR research programs.

Built on the SIGNA One platform,SIGNA Bolt5, GE HealthCare’s next-generation 510(k) cleared 3T MRI system, extends these capabilities with powerful performance grounded in deep learning and a focus on sustainability. The system is designed to streamline end-to-end imaging pathways, support precision diagnostics, and maintain low energy consumption and operational costs – reinforcing GE HealthCare’s commitment to advancing MR research and clinical innovation responsibly.

GE HealthCare also continues to advance energy efficient solutions to help meet the demand for technologies that support responsible, high-impact MR operations. The newSIGNA Sprint with Freelium6offers helium-free technology, eliminating vent pipe requirements, without compromising clinical or operational efficiency. With less than 1% helium usage7, SIGNA Sprint with Freelium provides helium independence without driving higher power consumption requirements or sacrificing image quality.

Additionally, AIR Recon DL, GE HealthCare’s deep-learning reconstruction technology, is expanding with the addition of support for Zero Echo Time (ZTE) and Silenzlow-acoustic noise imaging.8The basis for the MR bone imaging technique, oZTEo, ZTE imaging can provide images similar to CT – but without ionizing radiation – as well as novel applications such as lung imaging. AIR Recon DL will enable reduced scan time and improve the image quality of ZTE exams, while also enabling the potential for improved 3D volume rendering.

GE HealthCare will introduceSIGNA Studio9, a new suite of software development and collaboration resources for productive, impactful and efficient MR research. SIGNA Studio components are designed to make research tools more accessible and faster for researchers to deploy.

Building on early research collaborations, GE HealthCare announces two additional installations of the investigationalMAGNUSprototype10, a head-only MR scanner designed to explore advancements in neuroscience, at both King’s College London (KCL)and West China Hospitaltopush the boundaries of microstructural imaging, advanced diffusion and functional techniques, amplified by GE HealthCare’s latest deep-learning technology including Sonic DL and AIR Recon DL.

“This installation at King’s College London represents an important step forward for neuroscience research,” said Dr. Steve Williams, Professor of Imaging Sciences at King’s College London, who will present during GE HealthCare’s lunch symposium at ISMRM. “This platform gives us the ability to investigate aspects of brain structure and function that were previously out of reach, helping advance our understanding of neurological disease and opening new research possibilities.”

GE HealthCare also continues to invest in advancing the neuro care pathway, spanning research, imaging, and clinical decision support. This includes the integration oficometrixand itsicobrainplatform to strengthen quantitative brain MRI analysis and support more personalized neurological care, particularly in areas such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Following theintroductionof the high-gradient 1.5TSIGNA Sprint Elite11at ISMRM 2025, the system is now enabling advanced clinical applications across cardiology and oncology. Clinical teams have already demonstrated how the system supports high-quality, time-efficient imaging in demanding clinical environments.

At ISMRM 2026, GE HealthCare will spotlight cardiac imaging cases fromAZ Deltaillustrating how advanced gradient performance and deep learning–based reconstruction are leveraged with SIGNA Sprint Elite to support faster, more consistent cardiac MR exams.

“SIGNA Sprint Elite finally bridges the gap between high-performance cardiac MRI and real clinic scalability,” said Dr. Kristof De Smet, PhD, Chairman of the Medical Board at AZ Delta, Belgium. “The system enables high-quality imaging at significantly reduced acquisition times, making cardiac MR more accessible, scalable and clinically actionable.”

These real-world clinical examples reflect GE HealthCare’s focus on translating advanced MR capabilities into everyday clinical practice – helping clinicians manage growing imaging demand while maintaining image quality and diagnostic confidence.

GE HealthCare will share these updates and more atISMRM 2026, engaging with researchers, clinicians, and collaborators from around the world to discuss the future of MR research and clinical imaging. For more information, visit the GE HealthCare booth #B17.

GE HealthCare is a leading global healthcare solutions provider of advanced medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and AI, cloud and software solutions that help clinicians tackle the world’s most complex diseases. Serving patients and providers for 130 years, GE HealthCare is delivering bold innovations designed for the next era of medicine across its Advanced Imaging Solutions, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics segments to help clinicians deliver more personalized, precise patient care. We are a $20.6 billion business with approximately 54,000 colleagues working to create a world where healthcare has no limits.

GE HealthCare is proud to be among2026FortuneWorld’s Most Admired Companies™.

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1U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Medical Devices.”https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/software-medical-device-samd/artificial-intelligence-enabled-medical-devices.

2Sonic DL for 2D imaging is 510(k) pending with the U.S. FDA. Not CE marked. Not available for sale in all regions.

3SIGNA One Interface features are offered on select GE HealthCare MRI Systems. The features are 510(k) cleared. Not CE Marked. Not available in all markets.

4Research mode is available as an option and not intended for clinical use. Research operation may require observation of national regulations.

5SIGNA Bolt is 510(k) cleared. Not CE Marked. Not available in all markets.

6SIGNA Sprint with Freelium is a sealed configuration of SIGNA Sprint Select. SIGNA Sprint Select is 510(k) cleared. Not CE Marked. Not available in all markets.

7Compared to conventional magnets.

8AIR Recon DL for ZTE imaging is 510(k) pending with the U.S. FDA. Not CE marked. Not available for sale in all regions.

9SIGNA Studio is a set of tools for MR research and development use only. Not intended for clinical use. Research use may be subject to additional requirements in each country or jurisdiction. Not a product. Not for sale in any region.

10Technology in development that represents ongoing research and development efforts. Not 510(k) cleared and not CE marked. Not for sale. Intended for investigational use only.

11SIGNA Sprint Elite is a premium configuration of SIGNA Sprint. Not available in all markets.