Affordable Cryogen-Free Point-of-Care 1.5 T Extremity MRI

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The overall goal of this Fast Track project is to combine innovations in superconducting magnet design and new developments in solid state MRI to create a highly compact robust mobile lightweight and affordable MRI for scanning the peripheral skeleton including the knee of the majority of the public This scanner will use a unique cryogen free bore actively shielded superconducting magnet that makes the scanner a realistic andquot point of careandquot device that can be installed in smaller clinics or even a doctorandapos s ofice The proposed scanner uses an innovative magnet design that allows the patient to have both legs comfortably stretched out into two separate warm bores of magnet The combination of proven technologies in design and manufacturing of high field T and higher cryogen free MRI magnets and the innovative bore scanner will provide a significant breakthrough in providing a versatile realistic point of care T knee accessible extremity MRI to the aging public PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE The Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology DGCG of the National Institute on Aging NIA is calling for the andquot Development and validation of non invasive methods of examining bone quality density architecture and strength of bone andquot listed under area of interest G of DGCG research topics Recent studies have shown the utility of MRI in addressing several factors related to bone quality The overall goal of this project Phase I and II combined is to combine innovation in superconducting magnet design and new developments in solid state MRI to create a highly compact robust mobile lightweight cryogen free and affordable MRI for scanning the peripheral skeleton including the knee of the majority of the public