Hand-held ultrasound system smart-sync

for cardiovascular ultrasound imagingB/Wtouchscreen

Overview
Adult smart-sync is an ECG-free cardiac gating device that uses Doppler ultrasound to detect myocardial motion and blood flow for adult cardiovascular MRI. It synchronises the cardiac cycle with MRI acquisition to provide stable triggering and reduce motion artifacts when ECG gating is unreliable. The system is intended for use in challenging scenarios such as high-field 3T MRI, arrhythmias, patients with pacemakers, or infiltrative cardiomyopathies. Plug-and-play design enables rapid setup with no skin preparation required.

How it works
The device measures mechanical cardiac motion via a Doppler ultrasound transducer placed at the left parasternal position (sternum level, third rib) to obtain a stable acoustic window during respiration. The Sensor Box processes Doppler signals to calculate a trigger output which is sent to the MRI system via the standard ECG/trigger input. The output can be configured for systolic or diastolic triggering and is compatible with standard scanner trigger interfaces.

Typical workflow

• Connect the Sensor Box to the MRI system using the standard trigger/ECG input
• Position the Doppler transducer over the left parasternal/apical region and secure it (belt or fastening wings)
• Use the touchscreen to optimise the acoustic window and signal quality
• Select systolic or diastolic trigger mode
• Acquire cardiac MRI sequences with stable gating

Key advantages

• Provides reliable gating in 1.5T and 3T environments where ECG may fail
• Applicable to patients with pacemakers, scars, varying body sizes, arrhythmias, or amyloidosis
• Maintains stable triggering during arrhythmias and respiration
• Fast, non-invasive application with no shaving or skin prep required
• Reduces recurring consumable costs by eliminating disposable ECG electrodes

Compatibility

• Compatible with 1.5T and 3T MRI systems (examples: Siemens, Philips, GE, Canon, United Imaging) via standard ECG/trigger input

Technical specifications

• ECG-free cardiac gating using Doppler ultrasound
• Detects myocardial motion and blood flow to generate trigger signals
• Sensor Box: main processing unit that computes trigger from Doppler input and outputs TTL/trigger to MR system
• Transducer placement: left parasternal/apical position (sternum level, third rib) designed to maintain acoustic window during respiration
• Trigger modes: systolic and diastolic
• Integration: plug-and-play connection via standard ECG/trigger input, no special installation required
• Compatibility: supports all major MRI vendors at 1.5T and 3T
• Patient suitability: suitable for pacemakers, scars, arrhythmias, amyloidosis and variable body sizes
• Application: rapid setup, no skin preparation or shaving required; transducer equipped with wings and belt fastening
• Interface: touchscreen for acoustic window optimisation and signal feedback