TIM
Siemens's Total imaging Matrix coil platform — multi-element matrix coils that can combine up to dozens of elements across body coverage without manual coil exchange between exam regions. Introduced circa 2003 on the MAGNETOM Symphony line, and the dominant Siemens coil ecosystem through the Aera / Skyra / Prisma generation. Successor: TIM 4G (Tim 4G) and BioMatrix generations on current chassis.
Why it matters to buyers: TIM-compatible coils are cross-compatible with newer Siemens systems (Avanto → Aera → Skyra → Prisma → Vida path). Major resale-value driver on refurb Symphony / Avanto installs — the coils carry meaningful standalone value, often more than the bare magnet.
Why it matters to engineers: Symphony variants are tiered by channel × element count (8×18, 18×46, 32×76). Higher tiers support more parallel-imaging acceleration. Maestro Class 8×18 is a very different scanner from a 32×76 — confirm the tier on any refurb purchase. Coil-element health diagnostics check for silent channel dropouts that cost SNR invisibly.
Related
- TIM 4G
- BioMatrix
- dStream (Philips equivalent)
- AIR Coils (GE equivalent)
- MRI
- MAGNETOM Symphony
- Symphony TIM 8×18
- Symphony TIM 18×46
- Symphony TIM 32×76
- MAGNETOM Aera
- MAGNETOM Skyra
- MAGNETOM Symphony Field Guide
- Siemens