For Immediate Release: Inova Becomes First Health System to Implement New GE HealthCare MRI Technology Designed to Advance Cardiac Imaging

FAIRFAX, VA – February 23, 2026 – Inova was the first health system in the world to implement GE HealthCare’s SIGNA™ Sprint Elite[1], a next-generation MRI system developed to advance cardiac, oncologic and pediatric imaging, as well as imaging for patients with implanted devices. The system is designed to enable more efficient, high-resolution imaging while keeping patient comfort at the forefront.

GE HealthCare’s SIGNA Sprint Elite is a high-performance 1.5T MRI designed to provide power previously unattainable at 1.5T, allowing clinicians to visualize and evaluate structures with exceptional clarity. This high-performance platform leverages built-in AI technologies like AIR™ Recon DL, Sonic DL™ and AIR x™, which can help to enable high-quality imaging even in the most demanding anatomies. The combination is a significant advancement in cardiac imaging as well as for supporting personalized care pathways in oncologic and pediatric imaging.

The system also offers free-breathing imaging options, reducing or eliminating the need for patients to hold their breath during scans. This is especially beneficial for pediatric patients, older adults, and patients who are very ill or may feel claustrophobic, improving image quality while making exams more tolerable and accessible.

"This technology represents a significant step forward in precision imaging and patient-centered care," said Melany B. Atkins, MD, Division Chief, Cardiovascular Imaging and Medical Director of Advanced Cardiac Imaging at Inova. "Being selected as the first health system in the world to implement SIGNA Sprint Elite reflects our commitment to advancing care through innovation while always prioritizing the patient experience."

Located at Inova Fairfax Hospital, the new SIGNA Sprint Elite MRI will be closely integrated with Inova Schar Heart and Vascular, creating a highly specialized hub for advanced cardiac imaging. This will allow for seamless collaboration among Inova’s nationally top-ranked heart and vascular teams while also expanding access for outpatients referred by community cardiologists and subspecialists. The system will support clinicians in advanced evaluation of complex and often underdiagnosed conditions such as cardiac amyloidosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and microvascular dysfunction – conditions that can be challenging to detect.

"The GE HealthCare system allows us to bring a high level of imaging expertise to both our most complex patients and to outpatients who need sophisticated diagnostics that might otherwise be missed," said Christopher O’Connor, MD, president, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular.

Ana Barac, MD, PhD, D’Aniello Chair, Cardio-Oncology, Inova Schar Cancer and Inova Schar Heart and Vascular, added, "It strengthens collaboration across specialties and enables earlier, precise cardiovascular diagnosis, while maintaining the same level of excellence that defines Inova’s nationally recognized clinical programs across the entire continuum of care."

"Inova’s commitment to delivering precision care with emphasis in cardiology and pediatrics exemplifies our vision for SIGNA Sprint Elite," said Kelly Londy, CEO, MR, GE HealthCare. "Providing patients with comfort, clarity, and confidence inspires our intentional innovation in MR, and we are proud of this system’s ability to enable highly accurate imaging while prioritizing the patient experience."

SIGNA Sprint Elite was also designed to help optimize patient comfort, providing a 70cm wide bore space and blanket-like AIR™ Coils to improve the patient experience. Because of the wide bore design and quiet scanning with flexible, blanket-like coils, patients may experience less anxiety and claustrophobic sensations than during traditional MRI exams.

Because it operates at 1.5T, one of the most widely used MRI strengths in clinical care, the system is also well suited for imaging patients with many types of implanted medical devices, who may not be eligible for higher-field MRI scans.

The new MRI supports Inova’s broader focus on early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and ongoing monitoring across the full care continuum, from initial evaluation through treatment and follow-up.

[1] SIGNA Sprint Elite is a premium configuration of SIGNA Sprint.

About Inova
We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC, metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury, and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than 1 million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed 4 million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs.

Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 26,000 team members, our technology, and our innovation. In 2025, Inova was named the Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, a national leader in healthcare experience, recognizing our excellence in patient care, team member engagement and commitment to continuous improvement.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to each person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at Inova.org.

About GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.
GE HealthCare is a leading global healthcare solutions provider of advanced medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and AI, cloud and software solutions that help clinicians tackle the world’s most complex diseases. Serving patients and providers for 130 years, GE HealthCare is delivering bold innovations designed for the next era of medicine across its Imaging, Advanced Visualization Solutions, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics segments to help clinicians deliver more personalized, precise patient care. We are a $20.6 billion business with approximately 54,000 colleagues working to create a world where healthcare has no limits.

GE HealthCare is proud to be among 2026 Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™.

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