Model note · MRI
GE SIGNA Explorer 1.5T
SIGNA Explorer is GE HealthCare's 60 cm bore 1.5 tesla whole body MRI scanner, cleared in the US in 2015 together with the lower tier SIGNA Creator. It replaced the Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 line and is a common choice for general hospital and outpatient MRI. For engineers the key items are the cryocooler and its chilled water, the cryogen vent, the 34 kVA power feed and the RF power monitor software.
The model
Maker, model and type.
- Maker
- GE HealthCare (GE Medical Systems, LLC)
- Model
- SIGNA Explorer 1.5T (sister model SIGNA Creator)
- Device type
- MRI
- Main document
- Open the public document
Key specifications
What the public record says.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Field strength and bore | 1.5 T superconducting magnet, 60 cm bore | Source |
| Receive chain | 16 independent receive channels with multiple coil elements per channel in one series | Source |
| FDA clearance | K143251, 1.5T SIGNA Creator and 1.5T SIGNA Explorer, product code LNH, decided 4 February 2015; predicates Brivo MR355, Optima MR360 (K123417) and Optima MR450w (K142085) | Source |
| Standards tested | IEC 60601-1, 60601-2-33, 60601-1-1, 60601-1-2; NEMA MS1 to MS5 and MS8; DICOM | Source |
| Electrical demand | Total system continuous power 34 kVA; 50 millisecond peak 38.3 kVA; three phase supply | Source |
| Quench design basis | 13 MJ of stored energy dumped to helium; 90% of helium assumed vented within 30 seconds; total vent pressure drop must be below 17 psi (117.2 kPa) | Source |
| Fault fringe field | Under fault conditions the 5 gauss line may expand to 6.0 m radially and 7.5 m axially for 2 seconds or less | Source |
| Floor loading for delivery | Floor route must withstand a moving load of 5320 kg | Source |
| Magnet room exhaust | Emergency exhaust fan and intake rated at least 1200 CFM (34 cubic metres per minute) | Source |
| Site altitude range | 30.5 m below to 2438 m above sea level | Source |
Recalls
Known FDA recalls.
- Z-1239-20252025-01-31
Scan could be resumed after a power monitor trip while 6 minute average SAR was above the limit.
FDA record - Z-2473-20242024-06-14
Predicted B1+RMS could exceed the prescribed limit in low SAR mode with certain FLAIR sequences.
FDA record - Z-0983-20222022-03-04
Magnet could fall during de-installation if transport rigging was not properly secured.
FDA record - Z-0596-20222021-12-23
Cryogen ventilation system might not meet venting requirements.
FDA record - Z-0137-20222021-08-26
Missing slices could leave anatomy gaps in 3D volume images.
FDA record - Z-2058-20212021-06-04
Patient Orientation button could be clicked in place of Save RX, mislabelling orientation.
FDA record - Z-3026-20172017-05-11
Possible incorrect UPS wiring creating a shock hazard.
FDA record - Z-2731-20162016-08-31
Incorrect RF power monitor function could raise thermal dose and local heating.
FDA record
Safety
Safety warnings from the record.
- On some software versions predicted B1+RMS could exceed the user limit in low SAR mode with certain FLAIR sequences, which can overheat an MR Conditional implant. Source
- During magnet de-installation, rigging that is not fully fitted and secured can let the magnet fall. Source
- People with pacemakers, neurostimulators and other biostimulation devices must be kept outside the 5 gauss line. Source
- Some 3D volume images could be missing slices, leaving a gap in anatomy. Source
Sources
Where this note comes from.
- GE HealthCare SIGNA Explorer product page (US)
- GE HealthCare site planning drawing, SIGNA Creator / Explorer 1.5T
- FDA 510(k) K143251 summary, SIGNA Creator and SIGNA Explorer
- openFDA recall search, SIGNA Explorer
- openFDA MAUDE problem counts, brand SIGNA Explorer
Not covered: Gradient amplitude and slew rate were not found in an official GE document that could be opened (a GE brochure returned a server error), so they are left out. Service manuals and error codes sit behind GE's service portal, so errorCodes is empty. Room temperature and heat load tables in the site plan were too ambiguous in text form to quote. MAUDE counts are very low and not a failure rate.
BMEssentia knowledge drafted from public information, reviewed by Hasan Khaled Ismail on 2026-10-24. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use and service manual.