(HS) A method in which approximately one half of the acquisition matrix in the phase encoding direction is acquired. Half scan is possible because of symmetry in acquired data. Since negative values of phase encoded measurements are identical to corresponding positive values, only a little over half (more than 62.5%) of a scan actually needs to be acquired to replicate an entire scan. This results in a reduction in scan time at the expense of signal to noise ratio. The time reduction can be nearly a factor of two, but full resolution is maintained.
Half scan can be used when scan times are long, the signal to noise ratio is not critical and where full spatial resolution is required. Half scan is particularly appropriate for scans with a large field of view and relatively thick slices; and, in 3D scans with many slices. In some fast scanning techniques the use of Half scan enables a shorter TE thus improving contrast. For this reason, the Half scan parameter is located in the contrast menu.

More information about scan time reduction; see also partial fourier technique.

Manufactured by Esaote S.p.A.;
a low field open MRI scanner with permanent magnet for orthopedic use. The outstanding feature of this MRI system is a patient friendly design with 24 cm diameter, which allows the imaging of extremities and small body parts like shoulder MRI. The power consumption is around 1.3 kW and the needed minimum floor space is an area of 16 sq m.
At RSNA 2006 Hologic Inc. introduced a new dedicated extremity MRI scanner, the Opera. Manufactured by Esaote is the Opera a redesign of Esaote's 0.2 Tesla E-Scan XQ platform, which now enables complete imaging of all extremities, including hip and shoulder applications. 'Real-time positioning' reportedly speeds patient setup and reduces exam times.
Esaote North America and Hologic Inc are the U.S. distributors of this MRI device.

Partial averaging is a scan time reduction method that takes advantage of the complex conjugate of the k-space. The number of phase encoding steps of the acquisition matrix are reduced in the phase encoding direction.
Since negative values of phase encoded measurements are identical to corresponding positive values, only a little over half (more than 62.5%) of a scan actually needs to be acquired to replicate an entire scan. This results in a reduction in scan time at the expense of signal to noise ratio. The time reduction can be nearly a factor of two, but full resolution is maintained.
Partial Fourier averaging can be used when scan times are long, the signal to noise ratio is not critical and where full spatial resolution is required. Partial averaging is particularly appropriate for scans with a large field of view and relatively thick slices; and in 3D scans with many slices. In some fast scanning techniques the use of partial averaging enables a shorter TE thus improving contrast.
Partial averaging is also called Fractional NEX, Half Scan, Half Fourier, Phase Conjugate Symmetry, Single Side Encoding.

From Esaote S.p.A.; Esaote introduced the S-SCAN at RSNA in November 2007. The S-SCAN is a dedicated joint and spine MR scanner derived from the company's earlier G-SCAN system. Unlike the G-SCAN, neither the patient table nor the magnet can rotate from horizontal to vertical position. The patient table can only moved manually. Improved electronics, new coils for lumbar and cervical spine, new pulse sequences, a modified version of the magnet poles and gradient coils are used with a new software release in the S-SCAN.
Esaote North America is the exclusive U.S. distributor of this MRI device.

(Signa VH/i 3.0T)
With GE Healthcare leading-edge technology in ultra-high-field imaging. The 3 T VH/i provides a platform for advanced applications in radiology, cardiology, psychology and psychiatry. Real-time image processing lets you acquire multislice whole brain images and map brain functions for research or surgical planning. And the 3 T Signa VH/i is flexible enough to provide clinicians with high performance they require. It can provide not only outstanding features in brain scanning and neuro-system research, but also a wide range of use in scanning breasts, extremities, the spine and the cardiovascular systems.