On June 28th, Mayo Clinic will unveil a new first of its kind compact 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner developed in collaboration with General Electric’s (GE) Global Research Center. The investigational, research device was developed under a National Institutes of Health Bioengineering Research Partnership between GE Global Research and the Mayo Clinic.
Compact 3T MRI Scanner Overview
The new MRI scanner is designed specifically to perform head scans, as well as small extremities, such as wrists, feet and ankles, which represent approximately 45 percent of the clinical MRI volume at Mayo Clinic. The system was installed earlier this year in Charlton North Building, part of Mayo Clinic’s downtown campus in Rochester, Minnesota.
Improving Patient Experience
One of the goals in designing this new system was to improve the patient experience. Initial feedback from patients and volunteers confirms that the experience in this scanner is more comfortable from the ability of the patient to have his or her arms and torso completely outside of the magnet. In a traditional, whole-body scanner, the patient must lie on a table that goes into the magnet, which can be uncomfortable for patients, particularly those with claustrophobia.
Compact Size Benefits
Due to its compact size, the new system has several potential advantages over conventional, whole-body MRI systems, enabled by the superconducting 3T magnet. The new prototype magnet is approximately one-third the size of a conventional system and requires a fraction of the liquid helium to operate — making it easier to install in space-constrained locations — a common problem in hospitals.
The reduced size also helps lower the electrical power usage while increasing the scan speed dramatically. Initial investigation and evaluation of this novel design has produced high-quality images for a variety of advanced applications, including diffusion MRI, functional MRI and MR Elastography.
The core team at Mayo also includes Erin Gray, Yunhong Shu, Ph.D., Shengzhen Tao, Josh Trzasko, Ph.D., and Paul Weavers, Ph.D. The GE Global Research Center team is led by co-principal investigator Thomas Foo, Ph.D.
Featured image credit: rmommaerts via cc
