MRI Tesla: What’s the difference?

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Sensible Solutions for Refurbished Radiology
MRI Tesla Whats the difference?
By Vikki Harmonay
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Sensible Solutions for Refurbished Radiology
Back in the Seventies, MRI clinical imaging hit
the scene at 0.6 Teslas (T). By 2007, 7.0T MRI
was available for research, and now there are
11T, 9T, 7T and 4T MRI in research facilities
worldwide. MRIs are identified by the strength
of their magnetic field Tesla T a unit of
measurement.
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There are benefits to more powerful magnets
higher quality images, faster imaging time and
more patient throughput. While 1.5T systems are
considered the workhorse for MR Imaging, 3T MRI
Scanners are saturating the market in the
developed world. But currently, the FDA has
limited the power of the MRI for clinical use to
8T, and Europe, which usually follows the lead of
the US, limits MRI power to only 4T.
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Advantages of Higher Field MRI Scanners
There are many advantages to MRI Scanners with
Higher Fields. You get a higher contrast to noise
and you get a higher signal to noise and images
have a higher spatial resolution. This provides
the ability to image smaller structures with
improved resolution as well as giving you the
ability to obtain thinner slices. In addition,
images can be acquired faster with less motion
degradation.
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Disadvantages of a Stronger Magnetic Field
With stronger magnetic fields, the electronic
device advisory must be more stringent. In
addition, susceptibility effects are more
pronounced, in both chemical shift and field
inhomogeneity. In addition, motion degradation is
more severe. Plus, hardware availability is
limited as some vendors maintain a monopoly on
coils and its difficult to build coils in-house.
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Uses of Ultra High Field Imaging
Higher Field MRI Scanners are great for patients
with sports-related injury to tendons, ligaments
and cartilage. Its also ideal for imaging small
parts like the joints of hands and feet. They are
also better for fine detail studies like
evaluating bony trabecular in osteoporosis.
Cartilage is also better imaged at 3T or higher
and Functional MRI and MRI spectroscopy is better
at higher field strength.
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The Cost of Imaging With Higher Fields
The cost of imaging with higher fields is higher.
For example, a special shielding is required for
higher field scanners, which means a higher cost
of installation. Maintenance costs are also
higher. You also have to replenish cryogens more
frequently at higher fields. As a result, most 3T
scanners are owned by medical schools, research
institutions and large corporations.
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Safety Issues With Higher Field Imaging
There can be specific Absorption Rate issues,
including the increased heating of tissues, which
becomes an issue when imaging large structures.
However, most units will adjust to approved
parameters before scanning. Otherwise, higher
field imaging has the same disadvantages as those
found with other MRIs.
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A Closer Look at a 3T MRI Scanner
3T MRI Scanners have been used in research for
more than 20 years and in clinical use for almost
15 years. A 3T Scanner has nearly double the
strength of a 1.5T Scanner, equaling 603x Earths
magnetic field.
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Which MRI Scanner is Right For You?
Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages
of using a higher field imaging MRI. If youre in
the market for a MRI machine, talk to one of the
experts at Atlantis Worldwide. Often, it makes
sense to buy a refurbished or used MRI Scanner
which delivers the performance you want, but at a
much lower price point. Youll appreciate the
fact that you get an impressive service warranty,
too! Find out more today. Contact Us!
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3. Service Contracts for Imaging Systems Penny Wise
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4. Radiologists, Healthcare Social Media
5. Should your business lease or buy medical imaging
   equipment?
6. Free MRI Resources

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