3T MRI Facility
The Center for Biomolecular Imaging’s 1,750 square foot MRI research facility is located on the first floor of the MRI Building. It is operated by dedicated MR registered technologists during normal business hours. The technologists have experience in all aspects of MR imaging research as well as with a wide variety of animal imaging. The facility is equipped with all necessary supplies, including resuscitation equipment.
The facility houses a Siemens SKYRA 3T MRI Scanner with TIM Technology and the following features:
Siemens SKYRA 3T MRI Scanner
- 3T Siemens SKYRA operating at 11.0 VD platform
- Gradient field strength of 45 mT/m, SR 200 T/m/s
- 70 cm open bore design, weight limit 500 lbs
- Capable of Advanced DTI, BOLD, Spectroscopy, ASL, Map-It (cartilage) and Advanced Cardiac Imaging
- Equipped with stimulation equipment for fMRI studies
- Various coils including 32 channel head coil, 20 channel head/neck, 18 channel body, 32 channel spine, 15 channel knee and surface loop coils.
- Contrast Power Injector
The 3.0T Siemens Scanner will be supplemented with the following:
FUS Instruments (Toronto, Ontario Canada) Custom MRI-Compatible focused ultrasound system for whole-body MRI scanner
Driving electronics
- Arbitrary function generator & RF amplifier (50W)
- Integrated RF power meter for measuring forward and reflected power in pulsed or CW mode
- Computer & software for controlling system and prescribing sonications based on MR coordinates
Focused ultrasound platform
- 3 axis MRI-compatible motorized stage
- Calibrated MRI-compatible spherically focused ultrasound transducer (typical frequency 1 MHz - customizable to desired specifications)
- RF penetration panel/waveguide insert for connection of system with MR imager
- Custom phantom for QA & system calibration
3T RF surface coil
- Integrates into RK100 for high resolution imaging during FUS experiments
- Terminated with BNC connector
- One coil for rodent studies, one for non-human primates
Water Degassing System
- Portable unit for on-demand production of degassed water from a laboratory water source
High Power RF Amplifier Upgrade (100W power)
All image data is supplied to investigators in compliance with IRB and HIPAA regulations. Data can be downloaded to dedicated research image workstations for investigator analysis and/ or to be formatted for transmission to offsite reading centers.
Center for Biomolecular Imaging Members engaged in MRI research and who also serve as consultants to other investigators: