Radiology's big event is still underway at McCormick Place in Chicago, but at this point, most of the Radiological Society of North American (RSNA) news and product unveilings have already taken place.

It has been a week of artificial intelligence (AI) powered unveilings and lively discussions about everything from opportunistic imaging to theranostics and reimbursement. Although attendees may disagree about the biggest individual announcements, they seem to agree that the congress as a whole was livelier and better attended than it had been in recent years.

Here are our top six stories, based on HCB News reader engagement:

DeepHealth enters major partnerships
RadNet, the national network of nearly 400 outpatient imaging centers, introduced attendees to its AI subsidiary DeepHealth at last year's RSNA meeting. This year, DeepHealth was in the middle of high profile partnerships with multiple imaging OEMs.

Just prior to the show, GE HealthCare announced a strategic partnership incorporating DeepHealth's SmartMammo workflow and clinical solution into its Senographe Pristina mammography system. This arrangement also provided for the development of new AI solutions to address imaging workflow challenges.

A few days later, Siemens Healthineers announced its own arrangement with DeepHealth, this one focused on integrating AI into ultrasound workflows. By combining the Acuson Sequoia ultrasound system with DeepHealth’s SmartSonography platform, the partnership takes aim at operational inefficiencies in ultrasound in an effort to improve diagnostic accuracy, and elevate patient care.

DeepHealth’s core product is DeepHealth OS, a cloud-native AI-powered operating system that unifies data across clinical and operational workflows. It is supplemented by SmartTechnology modules, like the ones in the OEM partnerships.

United Imaging adds motion to MR
United Imaging was right alongside Philips, Siemens, and GE with the largest exhibitor footprints at the 2024 meeting.

Among the company's most intriguing product unveilings was the uMR Ultra, a 3T MR system designed to visualize body movement during scans to yield clinical insights beyond traditional static imaging. With high-gradient performance (100mT/m at 200T/m/s) and an AI-enabled uAIFI.LIVE platform, the uMR Ultra positions MR as a tool for "videography" rather than just "photography."

The scanner — which is not yet FDA approved — boasts 192 receive channels, and up to 96-channel coil capabilities.

Alongside United Imaging's other unique scanners, (such as its total body PET/CT and 5T MR) it's clear that the relative newcomer to advanced imaging manufacturing is determined to forge its own path in the market.

Mindray announces foray into North American DR market
In addition to unveiling its Resona I8 ultrasound system, Mindray announced plans at RSNA to enter the North American digital radiography (DR) market, with fixed and mobile offerings on the horizon.

Mindray has been manufacturing medical technologies for over 30 years, but the company's U.S. focus has been on patient monitoring, anesthesia, and ultrasound solutions. The company's forthcoming entrance into the DR market will further solidify its place in radiology, (and future RSNA meetings).

In international markets, Mindray has had a presence in DR for many years, with systems like the MobiEye 700 mobile radiography unit and the DigiEye 350 floor-mounted DR system.

GE HealthCare fully acquires Nihon Medi-Physics
As molecular imaging continues to gain momentum, GE HealthCare announced at RSNA that it would be acquiring the remaining 50% of Nihon Medi-Physics (NMP), a radiopharmaceutical company previously co-owned with Sumitomo Chemical.

NMP specializes in agents for SPECT and PET imaging, with products addressing neurology, cardiology, and oncology. Its offerings include VIZAMYL for Alzheimer’s-related imaging, DaTSCAN for Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, and MYOVIEW for myocardial perfusion imaging. In 2023, the company generated approximately $183 million (¥28.2 billion) in revenue and operates 13 manufacturing facilities.

The transaction is expected to close in early 2025, pending regulatory approval.

Syringeless MR injector gets FDA OK
Bracco Diagnostics Inc., the New Jersey-based subsidiary of Bracco Imaging S.p.A., announced FDA clearance for the Max 3 Rapid Exchange and Syringeless Injector during RSNA.

Max 3, which is manufactured by Ulrich and distributed under separate licensing agreements with Bracco and GE HealthCare, introduces features aimed at enhancing efficiency and usability in MR workflows. Notably, it allows direct injection from contrast media vials, eliminating the need for syringe refills. The device, free from power cables, can be positioned anywhere in MR rooms with magnetic field strengths up to 50mT.

Combined with Bracco's VUEWAY contrast agent, which requires half as much gadolinium as other macrocyclic GBCAs, the injector represents a solid step forward for sustainability.

For GE, the MR Max 3 is the second syringeless power injector solution, following the launch of the CT Motion injector at RSNA in 2022, which is also licensed via Ulrich.

For at least one OEM, the future of CT is photon-counting
When it comes to CT, Siemens Healthineers placed a clear bet at RSNA this year. The company introduced not one, but an entire family of photon-counting CE scanners, called the Naeotom Alpha class.

The lineup includes the Naeotom Alpha.Pro, a dual-source scanner for high-demand imaging environments; the Naeotom Alpha.Prime, which is geared toward emergency and inpatient care and is the world’s first single-source photon-counting CT scanner; and a rebrand of the original Naeotom Alpha, launched in 2021, as Naeotom Alpha.Peak.

Photon-counting CT provides high-res imaging by counting individual X-ray photons, allowing for detailed anatomical and functional imaging at lower radiation doses. The technology also enhances diagnostic accuracy and reduces artifacts, meaning faster clinical decision-making and optimized workflows.

Perhaps when the industry comes together for RSNA 2030, veteran attendees will reminisce about the days when CT manufacturers were still building scanners that did not have photon-counting capabilities?