The Recall Desk
HighFDA (Devices)·Z-0255-2016·Announced 2015-11-18

GE Healthcare Recalls Signa 3.0T MRI Systems Due to SAR Display Error

GE Healthcare is recalling 19 Signa 3.0T MRI systems because displayed SAR values may be lower than actual head SAR, potentially exceeding safety limits.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (exposure to radiation exceeding safety limits) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

GE Healthcare is recalling 19 units of the Signa 3.0T MRI system, specifically the Transmit/Receive Body Imaging Coil, due to a software issue affecting Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) calculations. The recall involves systems distributed worldwide, including the United States and numerous international markets.

The recall is necessary because, during head or neck scans, the SAR values displayed on the system may be lower than the actual SAR in the head. Modeling predicts that the actual head SAR could exceed the IEC60601-2-33 safety limit of 3.2 W/kg for some scans. This discrepancy means the system may not accurately reflect the energy absorbed by the patient's head during imaging.

Healthcare facilities that have purchased or leased these specific units should contact GE Healthcare for instructions on how to resolve the issue. The source text does not report any illnesses or injuries associated with this defect.

The recalled product

Product
GE Healthcare, SIGNA 3.0T. Product Usage: Magnetic resonance system for diagnostic imaging. The indications for use for the 3.0T Signa VH/i (Signa 3.0T MR System) Transmit/Receive Body Imaging Coil expands the imaging capability of the 3.0T Signa VH/i MR Imaging System. The T
Manufacturer
GE Healthcare
Affected units
19

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

The notice also names 3 states specifically:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 7 recalled by GE Healthcare under a single FDA (Devices) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 7 products in this recall →

Same hazard · excessive sar

See all →