MRI
Siemens Skyra 3T MRI
The Siemens Skyra 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner delivers exceptional quality and speed with consistent results. This scanner is located at our Clayton site and is suitable for clinical studies.
Benefits of 3T MRI
- Non-invasive imaging of the human body and large animals
- Wide variety of scanning sequences
- Potential to combine MRI with other modalities such as TMS, EEG, electrical stimulation, physiological monitoring and eye-tracking
- Exceptional quality and speed
- Easy access for research studies, no clinical scanning
- MBI has a strong collaboration arrangement with Siemens, which provides us with access to the latest imaging sequences
Capabilities
- Neuroimaging functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
- Respiratory MRI
- Cardiac MRI
- Structural MRI
- Musculoskeletal MRI
- Abdominal MRI
- Pelvic MRI
- ZOOMit parallel transmit technology
- Multinuclear imaging
Research applications
- Neuroimaging - fMRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labelling, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, multinuclear spectroscopy and imaging capabilities
- Multiple modality applications with MRI: TMS-fMRI, EEG-fMRI, eye-tracking, electrical stimulation run concurrently with behavioural tasks in the scanner
- Water mapping
- Structural MRI - T1, T2 and proton density weighted imaging
- Soft tissue - oncology, organ imaging
- Hyperpolarised xenon gas lung imaging
- Cardiac studies - blood flow and vasculature studies, morphology, dynamic function, tissue characterisation and flow measurements
3T MRI technical specifications
- 70cm wide bore
- Full range of imaging coils including an advanced 32 channel head coil
- 20-channel head and neck coil
- 32-channel spine coil
- 18-channel body coil
- Advanced reconstruction and analysis software for real time functional, diffusion neuroimaging, perfusion imaging and flow quantification
- XQ Gradients
- Multi-nuclear spectroscopy
- Parallel transmit technology (ZOOMit) applications
Compatible equipment
We offer MR-compatible technologies that can be used during MRI scanning. This equipment enables researchers to gain more informative data than conducting separate studies, and also saves time and resources.
Our MRI compatible technologies include:
- Simultaneous functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Simultaneous Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- Behavioural testing software applications which can be integrated with the scanner and auxillary equipment: E-Prime 3.0, Presentation (Neurobehavioral Systems), Psychtoolbox (with MATLAB/Octave), Psychopy (with Python).
- Siemens physiological monitoring equipment: downloadable heart rate, pulse and respiration measurements
- MR-compatible earphones (Sensimetrics) for audio-visual / multiple modality research applications
- Nonin fibre-optic MRI-compatible pulse oximeter
- SR Research MR-compatible EyeLink 1000 eye-tracking system
- Auxiliary sensors:
- Respiration belt
- Galvanic skin response (GSR)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Simultaneous fMRI and eye-tracking system (SR Research EyeLink1000)
- 32” BOLDScreen 3D for stimuli presentation
- Current Designs 932 fibre optic response box system
- Available response devices (all from Current Designs):
- Trackball
- Grip force sensor
- 1x4 diamond button box
- 2x2 button boxes
- BioPac electrical stimulator system that enables the user to perform a constant current or constant voltage stimulation as well as stimulation using a sinusoidal, pulse, or arbitrary waveform. The delivered current can be monitored in real-time using the BioPac's AcqKnowledge software. Applications for electrical stimulation include studies requiring muscle twitch or somatosensory stimulation. The system's features include:
- MP160 Data Acquisition System
- STM100C Stimulator Module
- IPS100C Isolated Power Supply
- HLT100C Interface Module
- STMISOC Stimulus Isolation Adapter
- MRI filtered cable set to allow stimulation inside the MR scanner
Additional support
Our Clinical Support Team can provide valuable guidance with equipment training/inductions, and on-call software and hardware troubleshooting, and installation. The team can also provide an in-house programming service which is billed per hour. Our Administrative Team is available to help you navigate the relevant procedures.