SENSE (SENSitivity Encoding)
Philips' parallel imaging technique for MRI. Uses the spatial sensitivity profiles of a multi-element receive coil to reconstruct the full image from an undersampled k-space acquisition, reducing scan time proportional to the acceleration factor. SENSE is the foundation layer beneath Compressed SENSE (which combines SENSE with compressed-sensing algorithms for further acceleration). Analogous to Siemens iPAT (GRAPPA / mSENSE) and GE ASSET as OEM-specific implementations of parallel imaging.
Why it matters to buyers: SENSE is a prerequisite for modern MRI throughput. Every clinically competitive Philips MRI uses SENSE; the acceleration factor depends on coil channel count and the sequence being accelerated.
Why it matters to engineers: SENSE requires accurate coil sensitivity calibration, typically reacquired at the start of each exam (B1 calibration). Reconstruction is host-software-dependent and scales with coil channel count.