“Despite remarkable improvements in [MRI] over the last decades, CT continues to be the diagnostic instrument of choice for [fracture detection].”

— Fischer et al., European Radiology 2025

Welcome to RadAccess: Impressions—your quick-read companion to the main RadAccess newsletter. Here we only deliver the essential information. For more details, you can always turn to the full RadAccess newsletter.

In this issue, we cover:

• Philips Gains FDA Clearance for Image Acceleration Software

• MRIguidance Aim to Bring Synthetic CT Into Routine Care

• DIY MRI Workshop Returns in 2026—Free, Hands-On, and Open to All

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Philips Gains FDA Clearance for Image Acceleration Software, SmartSpeed Precise

Philips has received FDA clearance for SmartSpeed Precise, its latest deep learning-based MRI reconstruction software which combines Compressed SENSE acceleration with AI models for denoising, sharpening, and artifact suppression.  SmartSpeed Precise offers a single-click workflow designed to reduce protocol variability and simplify use and will be available across Philips entire 1.5T and 3T portfolio. Philips reports that the software delivers:

• Up to 3× faster scans than Compressed SENSE alone

• Up to 80% sharper images, improving diagnostic clarity

• Ultrafast protocols like a 7-second brain T2 and 50% faster breast protocols—without compromising image quality

  
  

This launch reflects two growing industry trends: deep learning reconstruction as standard-of-care and frictionless AI integration. With all major vendors embedding AI into new systems, AI recon is becoming a built-in feature, not an add-on.

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MRIguidance Aim to Bring Synthetic CT Into Routine Care

MRIguidance’s BoneMRI—which generates synthetic CT images from MRI—is gaining traction beyond its initial use case in pediatric surgical planning. Two recent prospective studies evaluated BoneMRI’s diagnostic utility in adult spine imaging.

European Radiology: Cervical Spine Trauma 

This multicenter, multireader study evaluated BoneMRI in 37 trauma patients with suspected cervical spine fractures. Key findings include:

• 97.3% fracture detection with synthetic CT alone (92.7% with facet injuries)

• 100% detection when combining synthetic CT and MRI

• Near-perfect agreement on injury classification and fracture morphology

• Strong correlation between synthetic and real Hounsfield units

Scientific Reports: Lumbar Spine Evaluation

A prospective study of 105 lumbar spine cases compared synthetic CT with conventional CT. Highlights include:

• Strong performance for identifying osteophytes and annulus fibrosus calcifications

• Under performance in osteoporosis assessment, though limited details were provided

  
  

These studies reinforce BoneMRI’s potential beyond the preoperative planning, opening the door to radiation-free bone imaging in routine spine care. With a newly granted Medicare billing code, MRIguidance is also better positioned for clinical adoption and reimbursement.

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DIY MRI Workshop Returns in 2026

Registration is now open for the next DELTA DIY-MRI workshop, taking place

September 16–18, 2026 at Johns Hopkins University. This free, hands-on event invites students, engineers, and researchers to build a working low-field MRI scanner using open-source hardware and tools. Led by a dedicated team of mentors, the workshop offers a rare chance to demystify MRI and explore how low-cost systems can help expand access to imaging worldwide. Sign up today! delta-diy-mri.github.io

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References

1. https://www.usa.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/articles/2025/philips-advances-mri-speed-and-precision-with-fda-510k-clearance-of-smartspeed-precise-dual-ai-software.html

2. Fischer, Gregor, et al. "Radiological evaluation and clinical implications of deep learning-and MRI-based synthetic CT for the assessment of cervical spine injuries." European Radiology (2025): 1-13.

3. Jiang, Ziwei, et al. "Evaluation of MRI-based synthetic CT for lumbar degenerative disease: a comparison with CT." Scientific Reports 15.1 (2025): 20548.

4. Delta DIY MRI workshop website: delta-diy-mri.github.io

Disclaimer: There are no paid sponsors of this content. The opinions expressed are solely those of the newsletter authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of referenced works or companies.