Development of a small car-mounted magnetic resonance imaging system for human elbows using a 0.2 T permanent magnet

Abstract

Portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners can provide opportunities for mobile operation in many environments including disease screening and primary care suites.Here, we develop a new, compact transportable MRI system for imaging small joints of the extremities using a 0.2 T, 200 kg permanent magnet. The whole system, including the magnet, gradient coils, RF probes, and MRI consoles (80 kg in weight) was installed in a standard-size minivan-style vehicle. The use of the open-geometry magnet enables easy patient positioning within the limited space of the vehicle. We show that our portable MRI system provides clinically relevant images of screening for elbow injuries induced by overuse of overhand throwing. This transportable system is deployable during sport events or in environments with poor access to MRI systems, and could be applicable for mass screening, early diagnosis, and case finding.

Characterization of displacement forces and image artifacts in the presence of passive medical implants in low-field (<100 mT) permanent magnet-based MRI systems, and comparisons with clinical MRI systems

“…In this study, we have looked at a relatively small number of implantable devices, and so we hope that the protocols developed will encourage other researchers to add to this list. Results were obtained at 50 mT since this represents the order-of-magnitude of magnetic field which is currently the focus for many academic and commercial groups, but it would be very instructive to consider higher field strengths (~0.2 T) associated with human field-cycling systems [28,29] and portable systems for extremity imaging [30].…”

Photoacoustic Imaging and Sensing: A New Way to See the Eye

“…Although semiportable MRI, PET, and CT systems exist, they typically are trailer-or vehicle-based systems or are developed for specialized applications. 26 Current development efforts are aimed at combining ultrasound and PAI into one instrument, such as the FUJIFILM VisualSonics Vevo Ò line of imagers, 27 to take advantage of the synergistic nature of the two technologies. Similar or identical detectors can be used with both imaging modalities, which will lead to more compact and costeffective implementation of such dual-modality instruments.…”

Low‐Field MRI of Stroke: Challenges and Opportunities

“…56,67,78,104 However, the MSUs and the low-field scanners need calibrations and correction for drifts. 81,[101][102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109] The fixed scanners are typically not compact 103 and hence demand supporting infrastructure and logistics, resulting in a bigger footprint. Fixed-MR scanners require significantly higher electrical power compared to the low-field scanners.…”