Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

1.5T Siemens Sonata

The IRC currently has available a 1.5T Siemens Sonata clinical MRI system that is dedicated to both clinical and preclinical imaging research. This system has high-end magnetic gradients that provide the capability for both high-speed interventional MRI research as well as high-resolution MRI (100-300 um) for in-vivo imaging of mice for cancer, cardiovascular, and diabetes research. The 1.5T scanner is also capable of proton spectroscopy (NMR) for some applications.

Bruker Biospec® Animal MRI Systems

Two Bruker Biospec® MRI systems, 7T and 9.4T, are installed and operational in the imaging center space in the basement of Lerner Tower at University Hospitals. These high-field systems are equipped with multiple gradient sets specifically for in-vivo microimaging applications (< 100 um). The Biospec® systems are also equipped with broadband capabilities for multinuclear imaging and spectroscopy applications (ex. 1H, 31P, 15N, 13C, 19F). These systems will also be capable of cardiac / respiratory gating / monitoring to limit the negative effects of motion on image quality. This feature is critical for imaging animals with high respiration / heart rates.

7T & 9.4T MRI for small animals such as mice and rats.

Bruker / Siemens Medspec

A Bruker / Siemens 4T human scanner has also been installed and is operational. The 4Tscanner will provide state-of-the-art diffusion, fMRI, and parallel imaging capabilities. This system is operated by the same software platform (Siemens Syngo) as the 1.5T clinical system currently in use. This reduces the time necessary for developing new pulse sequences and coils for 4T research applications.

In Magnet Resonance Spectroscopy, the volume under investigation is exposed to excitation by RF pulses, and the transient response signal of the nuclei is measured. After Fourier analysis, the frequency spectrum contains information about the molecular structure of the substance under investigation.

In Magnet Resonance Imaging, images are created that display the internal structure of the object under investigation in two or three dimensions. These images show the spatial distribution of the excited nuclei within the object.

Bruker 9.4T Ultrashield 400WB Vertical Bore NMR

This system is now fully operational and adds a significant enhancement to CCIR imaging capabilities.  This scanner provides the opportunity to perform high resolution spectroscopy and imaging studies.  While this system can be adapted to perform in vivo imaging scans, the vertical and small bore make this scanner ideal for both ex-vivo and in-vitro studies. Like the other small animal MRI scanners, this scanner is broadband which provides multinuclear imaging capabilities (ex. 19F, 31P, 23Na, 13C).