Summary:

• The recent Swoop^_® system software upgrade, released in October 2024, achieved decreased scan time while preserving image quality.
• October 2024 also marks the tenth anniversary of the first image captured by what would become the Swoop^_® Portable MR Imaging^_® system.
• Our commitment to continued advancement in ultra-low-field MR brain imaging focuses on improving image quality, workflow efficiencies, and user experience.

What started as an ambitious idea a decade ago is now an FDA-cleared clinical tool powered by advanced AI software. The Swoop Portable MR Imaging system is revolutionizing brain imaging with ultra-low-field MRI technology and an intuitive, user-friendly interface. With its latest ninth-generation upgrade, the Swoop system continues to deliver diagnostic-quality imaging for faster, more informed clinical decisions. With this 10-year anniversary milestone, let's explore how this is impacting modern medicine.

AI-Enhanced Image Quality and Minimized Scan Times Enable Rapid Physician Access
Every second counts in the fast-paced world of acute care, especially in critical situations like managing stroke workflows. With its AI-powered image reconstruction, the Swoop system's software is designed to address this urgency. It swiftly delivers diagnostic-quality images from the patient’s bedside, enhancing them by reducing blurring and noise. This emphasis on clarity and precision preserves essential details in the images, enabling clinicians to make informed decisions.

Additionally, the Swoop system is designed to minimize scan times to accelerate the diagnostic workflow and reduce the negative impact of patient motion on image quality, further enabling quicker physician access to diagnostic images.

A Unique, Intuitive User Experience
The Swoop system is designed for simplicity and ease of use, with portable hardware and intuitive software allowing healthcare professionals to perform brain imaging at the patient’s bedside. The handheld user interface guides users from patient intake to scanning in minutes, making the system accessible to a wide range of healthcare personnel beyond MR technologists. This flexibility helps increase imaging efficiency based on the specific needs of each healthcare setting.

Streamlined Integration with Hospital Systems
When introducing new technology in healthcare settings, there must be cohesion with existing systems and protocols, prioritizing patient care. The smooth hospital integration and portability of the Swoop system enables bedside brain MR imaging, helping to avoid patient transfers to the imaging suite. This keeps staff where they’re needed most—in the ICU at the patient’s bedside or available to assist other patients. The secure PACS integration ensures that images quickly transfer to the radiology department and are immediately accessible to the care team after examination.

Where it All Began
In 2014, the original Hyperfine, Inc. team set out to revolutionize MR imaging. The challenge was clear—to make MR imaging portable, the system would need to operate at an ultra-low magnetic field strength outside a shielded, conventional MRI suite. Overcoming hardware and software challenges, the team successfully produced the first image—scanning a bell pepper. This pivotal moment showcased the potential of portable, ultra-low-field MR imaging and marked the beginning of a new era in brain imaging.

Swoop system bell pepper image circa October 2014.

Fast-forward to 2020, and the Swoop Portable MR Imaging system received its first FDA clearance for commercial use. The initial release featured five sequences optimized for ultra-low-field MR brain imaging. Since 2020, there have been nine generations of Swoop system software, each driven by a desire to enhance image quality, optimize scan times, and improve the user experience. The latest system imagery exemplifies these efforts.

Swoop system sequences with AI enhancements (October 2024).

Driving Innovation with Software Upgrades
At Hyperfine, Inc., we are committed to advancing ultra-low-field brain imaging, as demonstrated by the release of nine software generations in under four years. This continuous evolution pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in portable MR brain imaging. Our focus on image quality, workflow optimization, and user experience is at the heart of our mission. With a Swoop system subscription, you’ll always have access to the most advanced software, keeping you at the forefront of medical imaging technology.

A few significant software milestones since the Swoop system’s initial FDA clearance:

• November 2021: Incorporating AI-enabled image reconstruction techniques advanced the system’s capabilities by enhancing the quality of T1, T2, and FLAIR images.
• June 2022: A new Fast T2 sequence enabled T2 image acquisition in half the time for patients with difficulty staying still without sedation.
• October 2024: The wide release of the latest Swoop system software (FDA-cleared in June) significantly reduces scan times across multiple MR sequences without sacrificing image quality.

FLAIR sequence quality progression from 2019 to 2024.

Software updates can be delivered remotely to allow healthcare providers to benefit from the latest innovations with minimal disruption to their clinical workflow. We also offer remote support tailored to your schedule, ensuring you have the help you need when needed.

Join us as we redefine brain imaging.
With the Swoop Portable MR Imaging system, Hyperfine, Inc. is redefining what’s possible in brain imaging, combining speed, quality, and ease of use in one powerful, portable device.

The Swoop Portable MR Imaging system represents a decade of innovation and a future where advanced brain imaging is accessible to all. The Swoop system’s user-friendly design, featuring a tablet-based user interface and secure IT integration, has quickly established it as a valuable tool to inform diagnosis in clinical settings worldwide. We invite you to join us in transforming brain imaging as we innovate and improve patient care worldwide.

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