Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Introduction ↑

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images without the use of damaging radiation. It is often used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring. It is based on sophisticated technology that excites and detects the change in the direction of the rotational axis of protons found in the water that makes up living tissues.

MR Scanner ↑

The Siemens Trio is a 3 Tesla MRI scanner with Tim (Total Imaging Matrix). Its capacity enables consistent high quality imaging, the greatest efficiency for planning and processing, and will give you the confidence to diagnose the most difficult diseases quickly. It includes Syngo Inline Technology, AutoAlign solutions, Expert-i, and MapIt. The refurbished Siemens MAGNETOM Trio 3.0T MRI machine is a very popular MRI scanner due to its ease-of-use, signal-to-noise ratio, and its flexibility. With Tim (Total Imaging Matrix) technology, the Siemens Trio 3.0T MRI scanner is considered one of the easier MRI scanners, and also known as a reliable, durable MRI scanner.

System benefits include:

• 60-cm system available in an 8-, 18- or 32-channel configuration
• B19 software with standard software features, such as SPACE DIR, DIXON TSE
• Industry-leading homogeneity for demanding applications with available fMRI, DTI, tractography, and perfusion
• 50-cm field of view
• 3T safety parameters are optimized with SAR standard and with SAR-optimized body coils and sequences

Coils ↑

• 32-Channel Head Coil

iPAT-compatible coil for fast high-resolution and advanced neuro imaging.



• Head Matrix Coil

12-element design, iPAT-compatible coil for standard and advanced neuro applications.



• Neck Matrix Coil

Coil which operates in an integrated fashion with the Head Matrix coil and Spine Matrix coil, for coverage of the posterior and anterior neck region.



• 8-Channel Knee Coil

iPAT-compatible coil for high-resolution knee imaging.



• Body Matrix Coil

iPAT-compatible matrix coil for body and cardiac applications.



• 4-Channel Flex Coils (Small and Large)

Multipurpose coils for orthopedic imaging and other applications.



• Loop Coils (Small, Medium and Large)

Multipurpose coils for e.g. temporo mandibular joints (TMJ), small and large joints or inner ear imaging.

fMRI ↑

• High resolution Back/Front Projection
• Current Designs Fibre Optic Response box
• Audio System (Intercome)
• Ear Plug

Physiological Imaging ↑

Physiological Measurement Unit (PMU)

• PERU (Physiological ECG and Respiratory Unit): ECG and Respiratory
• PPU (Peripheral pulse unit): Pulse sensor

Services

Structural Imaging ↑

Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique for examining the anatomy and pathology of the brain (as opposed to using functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI] to examine brain activity). This produces images which can be used for clinical radiological reporting as well as for detailed analysis.

In addition to human study, Animal imaging is also acquired in this center. For example, the following image is shown a setup provided for image acquisition from a monkey:

Functional MRI (fMRI) ↑

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures the small changes in blood flow that occur with brain activity. It may be used to examine the brain’s functional anatomy, (determine which parts of the brain are handling critical functions), evaluate the effects of stroke or other disease, or to guide brain treatment. fMRI may detect abnormalities within the brain that cannot be found with other imaging techniques.

fMRI Services:

1. Study the anatomy of the brain
2. Determine which part of the brain is handling critical functions such as thought, speech, movement and sensation.
3. Help assessing the effects of stroke, trauma or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson Disease on the brain function.
4. Monitor and stage the growth and function of brain tumors.
5. Guide the planning of surgery, radiation therapy, or other surgical treatments for the brain.

Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) ↑

Since its inception in 1985, diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging has been evolving and is becoming instrumental in diagnosis and investigation of tissue functions in various organs including brain, cartilage, and liver. Even though brain related pathology and/or investigation remains as the main application, diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is becoming a standard in oncology and in several other applications.

DWI is currently a standard in diagnosis of:

• Ischemic stroke
• Epilepsy, neurotoxicity etc.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) ↑

Molecular diffusion plays an important role in many biologic phenomena. The ability to study diffusion, therefore, is extremely useful in physiology and medicine. MRI offers a non-invasive window to diffusion, particularly water self-diffusion. MRI techniques, which provide diffusion sensitivity or quantitation (diffusion tensor MRI [DTI]), have found widespread application in neuroscience and medicine, including the evaluation of stroke, brain development, tumor imaging, and demyelinating disorders.

DTI is used in various application including:

• Fiber Tract Mapping
• Brain Maturation and Aging
• Ischemia and Wallerian Degeneration
• Demyelinating Disorders
• Tumor Imaging
• Trauma

Perfusion Imaging ↑

Magnetic resonance techniques have been powerful in visualizing tissue perfusion in the brain and other parts of body. Perfusion normally refers to the delivery of blood at the level of the capillaries, and measures in units of milliliters per 100 gram per minute. Perfusion is closely related to the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the tissue.

Perfusion MRI is sensitive to microvasculature and has been applied in a wide variety of clinical applications, including:

• Classification of tumors
• Identification of stroke regions
• Characterization of other diseases

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ↑

magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy of the brain is a non-invasive, in vivo technique that allows investigation into regional chemical environments.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a powerful technique for non-invasively measuring the localized neurochemical information of the brain, and has increasing applications in various clinical and pre-clinical studies including:

• Brain tumors
• Aging
• Brain development
• Head trauma
• HIV/AIDS
• Seizure disorders
• Huntington’s disease
• Dementia and movement disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, front temporal dementia, motor neuron disease, Parkinson disease/Parkinsonian syndromes etc