(DESS) This sequence was originally known as FADE. It combines both the gradient echoes acquired in FISP and PSIF sequences in separate acquisition periods during a single interpulse interval. Phase encoding gradients are balanced to maintain the transverse steady state signals. The frequency encoding gradient is left on for the period of both the echoes, and is incompletely balanced to avoid dark banding artifacts otherwise associated with long TR fully balanced steady state sequences. The contrast of DESS is quite unique, true T2 or T1 contrast weighting is not possible. There is a strong fluid signal but fat is bright and other soft tissues appear similar to the short TR FISP image.
Used for, e.g. the joints, cartilage and the prostate.

See Steady State Free Precession and Dual Echo Sequence.

From Siemens Medical Systems; MAGNETOM Avanto with Tim - Total imaging matrix technology. For true whole-body anatomical coverage. For ultra-fast image acquisition. Aids the physician in fast and precise evaluation of systemic diseases like colon cancer, metastasis imaging, vessel diseases, and preventional exams. For claustrophobic patients, MAGNETOM Avanto enables feetfirst exams for nearly all MR procedures. For obese patients, MAGNETOM Avanto supports up to 200 kg (400 lbs), without table movement restrictions. The AudioComfort technology enables up to a 30 dB(A) acoustic noise reduction, that means nearly all clinical routine sequences are running under 99 dB(A).

From Siemens Medical Systems;
A new, powerful, compact player in MRI. For both, patients and health care professionals, the mid-field has realized a giant step to cost efficient quality care. Obese patients and people with claustrophobia appreciate the comfortable side loading. The smallest pole diameter - 137 cm (54 inches) allows for optimal patient comfort.

From Siemens Medical Systems;
while older navigator techniques take up to 40 minutes to create, the high performance of the MAGNETOM Sonata system enables 'complete examinations in less than 15 minutes'. It creates a new standard of diagnostic confidence and moves Cardiac MR from the research setting into routine clinical practice.

From Siemens Medical Systems;
The Magnetom Trio™, a 3T whole body MRI system with Tim (total imaging matrix technology), targets clinical applications such as abdominal, cardiac, spine, whole body and orthopedics. TIM enables flexible coil combinations for high resolution imaging of large anatomical areas without the need to change coils.