FONAR Upright Multi-Position - MRI Scanning Machine
Unfortunately, the overwhelmingly positive responses from patients to the extraordinary patient–friendly environment of the scanner, especially claustrophobic and very large patients, can overshadow the scanner´s most important feature – Multi-Position MRI imaging. The UPRIGHT® MRI is the only MRI scanner than can scan patients in any position, including sitting, standing, bending (for flexion and extension) or lying down. This unmatched feature is made possible by the scanner´s unique magnet configuration. With the opposing magnetic poles oriented vertically, the generous space between them accommodates a special motorized patient bed that can rotate the patient from recumbent to upright.
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Advantages of the FONAR Upright Multi-Position MRI
Symptom–Specific Positional Scanning–Only With The Fonar UPRIGHT® Multi-Position MRI
Advanced design allows the FONAR UPRIGHT® MRI to scan your patients in the positions they experience their problems–sitting, standing, bending, leaning, as well as lying down. All other MRIs can only scan them while they´re lying down.
Scanning With The Weight Of The Body On The Spine And Other Joints
The UPRIGHT® allows all parts of the body to be imaged with the normal weight of your body on the spine and other joints–an advantage that leads to a more accurate diagnosis. Imaging your spine when it is fully loaded with the weight of your body, as compared to unloaded in a conventional lie–down MRI, is critical to an accurate diagnosis. As you can see by the following images, many back problems are “missed” when the spine is not bearing the weight of the body and not imaged in the positions the spine normally occupies.
Unrivaled Comfort; Your Patients Watch TV During Their Scan
The patient simply walks in, sits down, and watches TV during the scan. They are not slid into the usual tube. This open comfort is especially good for people who are claustrophobic.
World´s First Radiation-Free Diagnosis and Evaluation of Scoliosis
The National Cancer Institute reports a 70% higher incidence of breast cancer among women who had scoliosis as children and were scanned multiple times a year to evaluate the condition. The Fonar UPRIGHT® MRI offers the first radiation-free monitoring and the end of later-life breast cancer due to overexposure to spine x–rays.
Scans Children, Who Sit In Their Mother´s Lap; Usually Requires No Anesthesia And Avoids Exposure Of Children To X–rays
Scans Overweight Patients
Unique Patient-Handling System
The FONAR UPRIGHT® MRI is equipped with our unique MRI–compatible motorized patient handling system that can move the patient into the magnet and place the anatomy of interest into the center of the magnet gap. It also can rotate the vertically–oriented patient into a horizontal position so the patient can be scanned lying down, as in a conventional MRI.
More FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi–Position MRI Benefits
- Scans patients in flexion, extension, rotation and lateral bending
- Scans patients with the weight of the body on the spine and other supporting joints
- Scans patients in sitting positions
- Scans patients lying down
- Scans cardiovascular patients upright in their position of symptoms
- Scan patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency in the upright position of symptoms
- An unobstructed view from inside the magnet. There is nothing in front of the patient's face.
Upright MRI Specifications
Dramatically Different From All Other MRIs
The magnetic field strength of the FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI is 0.6 Tesla. At 0.6 Tesla, it is categorized as a “Mid-Field” MRI. Most “Open” MRIs (all of them recumbent-only scanners) operate at 0.3 Tesla.
Many equate magnetic field strength to image quality – the higher the field, the better the image. All other things being equal, that is a fair statement. In fact, however, all other things are not equal, meaning that in comparing one MRI to another, field strength is only half of the story.
The magnetic configuration of the UPRIGHT® MRI is dramatically different from all other MRIs, both High-Field MRIs and so-called “Open” MRIs. As a result, the UPRIGHT® MRI is able to use both solenoid and planar RF receiver coils. No other MRI can do this.
This explains why the UPRIGHT® MRI’s 0.6 Tesla images are competitive with 1.5 Tesla High-Field MRI images. Here is the explanation of why the magnet configuration of the UPRIGHT® MRI is advantageous:
A Fundamental Principle of MRI:
The RF receiver coil achieves maximum sensitivity when its axis of symmetry (yellow arrow) is perpendicular (90) to the direction of the magnetic field (green arrows).
The UPRIGHT® MRI has a unique magnet design, which allows it to employ this principle in two ways. The patient is positioned between two vertical poles so that the magnetic field transverses the body in the left-right direction (green arrows) This unique design allows both flat planar and solenoid (“wrap- around”) coils to be used separately or in combination (in quadrature).
The UPRIGHT® MRI Can Use Solenoid (“Wrap-Around') Coils (which High-Field MRIs can’t):
Upright MRI Receiver Coil Packages
FONAR has been designing and manufacturing receiver coils in—house since its inception in 1978, and has remained a leader in receiver coil design ever since.
FONAR has several in–house teams of high–level scientists and engineers devoted to improving existing receiver coil designs and introducing new ones.
SOLENOID RECEIVER COILS
FONAR´s first receiver coils, or surface coils, were solenoid receiver coils. These coils are basically wrapped around the region of interest. The solenoid receiver coil has been and continues to be a perfect match for FONAR scanners. It is a fundamental fact of physics that optimal Signal–to–Noise Ratios (SNR) are achieved when the axis of the receiver coil is perpendicular to the direction of the scanner´s magnetic field. Such is the case with every FONAR MRI ever made, including the Stand–Up MRI.
For example, with the patient lying down with a solenoid coil around his waist, the axis of the solenoid coil runs along the length of the body. In combination with either a vertical or a horizontal magnetic field (as is the case with the Upright™ MRI), the coil axis is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field. Note that in the case of the Stand–Up MRI, this optimal right–angle relationship is preserved whether the patient is standing, sitting bending or lying down.
With superconductive MRI scanners, the horizontal magnetic field would be parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the solenoid coil axis. Therefore these scanners cannot capitalize on the SNR advantage of the solenoid design are forced to use less efficient receiver coil designs instead.
While continuing to improve and expand its solenoid receiver coil package, FONAR has also successfully developed other types of highly efficient receiver coils.
Cervical Solenoid Coil
FONAR´S flexible Cervical Solenoid Coil optimizes imaging of the cervical spine. In the photo, the patient´s head was immobilized for a cervical spine study in the neutral position. The coil is also ideally suited for Position Imaging™ (pMRI™) applications of the cervical spine, including flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending.
Expanded Diameter Solenoid Cervical Coil
The Expanded Diameter Solenoid Cervical Coil is for patients that require a more loosely fitting coil in order to flex, extend or bend their necks as far as they are able to. pMRI™ applications give the referring physician the most complete picture of the patient´s condition.
High–performance Spine and Body Coil Set
(45–inch, 55–inch and 65–inch circumferences) These flexible wraparound coils provide uniform posterior–to–anterior signal intensity and extended longitudinal coverage for spine and body imaging. The user can choose the optimal patient filling–factor to increase SNR.
Signal Plus(TM) Open Head Coil
The Signal Plus™ Open Head Coil employs an advanced multi–conductor design that provides the high Signal–to– Noise Ratios necessary for neuroimaging applications.
Signal Plus™ Knee
This circular multi–conductor receiver coil for knee imaging can also be used for the thigh, calf and ankle.
Wrist Coil
The FONAR wrist coil is a rigid, multi–conductor receiver coil optimized for high–resolution wrist or small extremity imaging.
PLANAR COILS
The unique transaxial horizontal magnetic field of the Upright™ MRI makes it the ONLY Open MRI system that can use flat planar coils. The advantage of planar coils is that they can be placed close to the targeted anatomy, which results in high Signal–to– Noise Ratios (SNR) and, therefore, excellent images.
Planar T–L (Thoracic–Lumbar) Coil
The Planar Thoracic–Lumbar Coil is placed directly behind the patient´s back. The patient leans against the coil and sits comfortably throughout the scan.
Shoulder Coil – Seated
FONAR´s shoulder coil employs a unique double–planar design. The coil, which can be used on either shoulder, interfaces with an immobilization fixture that attaches to the patient bed.
QUADRATURE COILS
The quadrature coil combines two coils, called a quadrature pair, configured to operate in concert to achieve higher SNR than can be obtained with a single receiver coil.
Quadrature Head Coil
The Quadrature Head Coil provides excellent neuroimaging capabilities. It can be used with the patient in either an upright or recumbent posture. Adjustable movement inhibitors keep the patient´s head immobilized throughout the scan. The large spaces between the coil conductors allow the patient an unobstructed view of a TV mounted on the scanner room wall.
Quadrature T–L (Thoracic-Lumbar) Coil
Because of its unique magnet configuration, the Upright™ MRI is the ONLY MRI scanner that is able to utilize a solenoid (wrap-around) coil and a flat planar coil as its quadrature pair. Each coil in FONAR´s quadrature pair offers its own special advantage: The solenoid coil is remarkably SNR–efficient — more so than saddle–shaped coils used with conventional superconductive MRI scanners; and the companion planar coil achieves remarkable SNR because of its close proximity to the targeted anatomy. The combination of the two makes the Quadrature Thoracic–Lumbar Coil an extraordinary performer.
VersaRest™ Fixture
The VersaRest™ fixture provides the patient with something sturdy to lean on during the scan, making the patient comfortable and reducing body motion. For example, for flexion studies of the lumbar spine, patients bend forward at the hip and comfortably rest their forearms on the VersaRest™ fixture. The VersaRest™ fixture can be placed anywhere in the patient gap, and is easily installed or removed in a few seconds.
Quadrature Knee Coil
The Upright™ MRI is the ONLY MRI scanner capable of performing weight–bearing extremity studies. Weight–bearing knee scans can be done with the patient standing or with the bed tilted back to any selected angle. With the bed tilted back, the patient is usually more comfortable and is better able to remain still throughout the procedure. The coil attaches directly to the bed. Patient positioning is quick and easy.
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