AIR Recon DL Now Supports 3D and PROPELLER Sequences: What This Means for MRI Efficiency and Patient Care

GE Healthcare has secured FDA 510(k) clearance for expanded capabilities of its AIR Recon DL deep learning technology, now compatible with both 3D imaging sequences and PROPELLER motion-insensitive imaging. This advancement represents a significant step forward in bringing next-generation imaging quality to virtually all MRI clinical applications.

Clinical Impact: Real Results from Real Scans

The numbers speak clearly. According to recent clinical evaluations, when radiologists used AIR Recon DL on 3D and PROPELLER sequences:

• 100% of radiologists reported superior signal-to-noise ratio and image sharpness compared to conventional reconstruction methods
• 99% confirmed improved or equivalent lesion detection capabilities
• Exam times dropped by up to 50%, translating to faster patient throughput and better scheduling efficiency

Since its initial deployment in September 2022, the AIR Recon DL technology has already processed scans for over 3.5 million patients globally, establishing itself as a proven clinical tool.

Why These Sequence Expansions Matter

3D Imaging Support: By extending AIR Recon DL to 3D sequences, radiologists can now eliminate the need for multiple 2D acquisitions in a single exam. This streamlines workflow, reduces scan duration, and enables faster, more confident diagnoses—particularly beneficial for brain imaging where 3D protocols are standard practice.

PROPELLER Compatibility: The addition of PROPELLER support addresses a critical clinical need. This motion-insensitive sequence is essential for patients who struggle to remain still—including pediatric cases, individuals with neurodegenerative conditions, elderly patients, and those with claustrophobia. PROPELLER reduces motion artifacts and eliminates the need for repeat scans, directly improving patient experience and diagnostic speed.

Practical Benefits for Imaging Centers

The enhanced AIR Recon DL is available on new GE Healthcare MRI systems and as an upgrade for the majority of existing 1.5T and 3.0T installations. This means imaging facilities can achieve state-of-the-art capabilities without major capital investment, particularly valuable in cost-conscious healthcare environments.

Dr. Tiron Pechet, Radiologist and Assistant Medical Director at Shields Health Care Group, highlights the clinical significance: “By expanding AIR Recon DL to 3D and PROPELLER, GE Healthcare has closed the gaps in our ability to provide improved image quality and patient experience to all our patients across exam types, particularly for brain imaging where we rely heavily on 3D sequences and musculoskeletal imaging where PROPELLER is important for reducing image quality variability and eliminating repeat sequences due to motion.”

About the Technology

AIR Recon DL has fundamentally changed how MRI systems balance image quality against scan time. By applying deep learning-based reconstruction, the technology maintains diagnostic confidence while reducing examination duration—a combination that improves clinical efficiency, patient satisfaction, and facility productivity.