New MRI Scanner Meets Third World Needs
|
By MedImaging International staff writers Posted on 27 Dec 2021 |
|
Image: The prototype ULF MRI brain scanner (Photo courtesy of HKU)
An ultra-low magnetic field (ULF) MRI scanner has the potential to meet clinical point of care (POC) needs in low and middle income countries.
Developed at the University of Hong Kong (HKU; China), the ULF MRI scanner uses a permanent 0.055 Tesla Samarium-cobalt magnet and deep learning (DL) algorithms for cancellation of electromagnetic interference, and as a result requires neither magnetic nor radiofrequency (RF) shielding cages. The compact, mobile scanner is intended for brain scanning, powered via a standard AC power outlet, is also and acoustically quiet during scanning. According to the HKU developers, it can be constructed for less than USD 20,000.
To test its capabilities, they implemented four standard clinical neuroimaging protocols (T1- and T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery like, and diffusion-weighted imaging) on 25 patients, successfully demonstrating preliminary feasibility in the diagnosis of brain tumors and stroke. In addition, as the system is ULF, it also has lower sensitivity to metallic implants, less susceptibility to artifacts at the air/tissue interface, and an extremely low RF specific absorption rate (SAR). The study describing the new MRI system was published on December 14, 2021, in Nature Communications.
“The high cost of procuring, siting/installing, maintaining and operating the current clinical scanners constitutes a major roadblock in MRI accessibility in healthcare,” concluded senior author professor of biomedical engineering Ed X. Wu, PhD, and colleagues. “Low-cost, low-power, compact, open, and shielding-free [ultra-low magnetic field] MRI for brain imaging, as demonstrated here, aims to complement rather than compete with existing high performance clinical MRI in healthcare.”
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2020 there were approximately 65,000 installations of MRI scanners worldwide (or approximately seven per one million inhabitants), as compared to about 200,000 CT scanners and over 1,500,000 ultrasound scanners. The distribution of MRI scanners is concentrated mainly within high income countries, with scarce availability in low and middle income countries. As a result, 70% of the world’s population has little to no access to MRI.
Related Links:
University of Hong Kong
Developed at the University of Hong Kong (HKU; China), the ULF MRI scanner uses a permanent 0.055 Tesla Samarium-cobalt magnet and deep learning (DL) algorithms for cancellation of electromagnetic interference, and as a result requires neither magnetic nor radiofrequency (RF) shielding cages. The compact, mobile scanner is intended for brain scanning, powered via a standard AC power outlet, is also and acoustically quiet during scanning. According to the HKU developers, it can be constructed for less than USD 20,000.
To test its capabilities, they implemented four standard clinical neuroimaging protocols (T1- and T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery like, and diffusion-weighted imaging) on 25 patients, successfully demonstrating preliminary feasibility in the diagnosis of brain tumors and stroke. In addition, as the system is ULF, it also has lower sensitivity to metallic implants, less susceptibility to artifacts at the air/tissue interface, and an extremely low RF specific absorption rate (SAR). The study describing the new MRI system was published on December 14, 2021, in Nature Communications.
“The high cost of procuring, siting/installing, maintaining and operating the current clinical scanners constitutes a major roadblock in MRI accessibility in healthcare,” concluded senior author professor of biomedical engineering Ed X. Wu, PhD, and colleagues. “Low-cost, low-power, compact, open, and shielding-free [ultra-low magnetic field] MRI for brain imaging, as demonstrated here, aims to complement rather than compete with existing high performance clinical MRI in healthcare.”
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2020 there were approximately 65,000 installations of MRI scanners worldwide (or approximately seven per one million inhabitants), as compared to about 200,000 CT scanners and over 1,500,000 ultrasound scanners. The distribution of MRI scanners is concentrated mainly within high income countries, with scarce availability in low and middle income countries. As a result, 70% of the world’s population has little to no access to MRI.
Related Links:
University of Hong Kong
Gold Member
Electrode Solution and Skin Prep
Signaspray
Gold Member
Ultrasound System
FUTUS LE
X-Ray Meter
Cobia SENSE
Portable DR Flat Panel Detector
VIVIX-S 1012N
Latest MRI News
- PET/MRI Improves Diagnostic Accuracy for Prostate Cancer Patients
- Next Generation MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound Ushers In Future of Incisionless Neurosurgery
- Two-Part MRI Scan Detects Prostate Cancer More Quickly without Compromising Diagnostic Quality
- World’s Most Powerful MRI Machine Images Living Brain with Unrivaled Clarity
- New Whole-Body Imaging Technology Makes It Possible to View Inflammation on MRI Scan
- Combining Prostate MRI with Blood Test Can Avoid Unnecessary Prostate Biopsies
- New Treatment Combines MRI and Ultrasound to Control Prostate Cancer without Serious Side Effects
- MRI Improves Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer
- Combined PET-MRI Scan Improves Treatment for Early Breast Cancer Patients
- 4D MRI Could Improve Clinical Assessment of Heart Blood Flow Abnormalities
- MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Prostate Cancer
- AI-Based MRI Tool Outperforms Current Brain Tumor Diagnosis Methods
- DW-MRI Lights up Small Ovarian Lesions like Light Bulbs
- Abbreviated Breast MRI Effective for High-Risk Screening without Compromising Diagnostic Accuracy
- New MRI Method Detects Alzheimer’s Earlier in People without Clinical Signs
- MRI Monitoring Reduces Mortality in Women at High Risk of BRCA1 Breast Cancer
Channels
Radiography
view channel
Novel Breast Imaging System Proves As Effective As Mammography
Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. It is projected that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime, and one in 42 women who turn 50... Read more
AI Assistance Improves Breast-Cancer Screening by Reducing False Positives
Radiologists typically detect one case of cancer for every 200 mammograms reviewed. However, these evaluations often result in false positives, leading to unnecessary patient recalls for additional testing,... Read more
Ultrasound
view channel
Deep Learning Advances Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is an advanced imaging technique that offers high-resolution visualization of microvascular structures. It employs microbubbles, FDA-approved contrast agents, injected... Read more
Novel Ultrasound-Launched Targeted Nanoparticle Eliminates Biofilm and Bacterial Infection
Biofilms, formed by bacteria aggregating into dense communities for protection against harsh environmental conditions, are a significant contributor to various infectious diseases. Biofilms frequently... Read more
Nuclear Medicine
view channel
New SPECT/CT Technique Could Change Imaging Practices and Increase Patient Access
The development of lead-212 (212Pb)-PSMA–based targeted alpha therapy (TAT) is garnering significant interest in treating patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The imaging of 212Pb,... Read more
New Radiotheranostic System Detects and Treats Ovarian Cancer Noninvasively
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer, with less than a 30% five-year survival rate for those diagnosed in late stages. Despite surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy being the standard... Read more
AI System Automatically and Reliably Detects Cardiac Amyloidosis Using Scintigraphy Imaging
Cardiac amyloidosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of abnormal protein deposits (amyloids) in the heart muscle, severely affects heart function and can lead to heart failure or death without... Read more
General/Advanced Imaging
view channel
New AI Method Captures Uncertainty in Medical Images
In the field of biomedicine, segmentation is the process of annotating pixels from an important structure in medical images, such as organs or cells. Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are utilized to... Read more.jpg "Image: CT coronary angiography for diagnosing coronary artery disease offers advantages over other diagnostic tests (Photo courtesy of 123RF)")
CT Coronary Angiography Reduces Need for Invasive Tests to Diagnose Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD), one of the leading causes of death worldwide, involves the narrowing of coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, resulting in insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle.... Read more
Novel Blood Test Could Reduce Need for PET Imaging of Patients with Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a condition marked by cognitive decline and the presence of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, poses diagnostic challenges. Amyloid positron emission... Read more.jpg "Image: Exemplary illustration of the labeling and segmentation process (Photo courtesy of TUM)")
CT-Based Deep Learning Algorithm Accurately Differentiates Benign From Malignant Vertebral Fractures
The rise in the aging population is expected to result in a corresponding increase in the prevalence of vertebral fractures which can cause back pain or neurologic compromise, leading to impaired function... Read moreImaging IT
view channel
New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible
Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Global AI in Medical Diagnostics Market to Be Driven by Demand for Image Recognition in Radiology
The global artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnostics market is expanding with early disease detection being one of its key applications and image recognition becoming a compelling consumer proposition... Read more
Industry News
view channel
Bayer and Google Partner on New AI Product for Radiologists
Medical imaging data comprises around 90% of all healthcare data, and it is a highly complex and rich clinical data modality and serves as a vital tool for diagnosing patients. Each year, billions of medical... Read more
