MRI Scanner Resources

The Center for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy in the Department of Radiology currently operates two whole-body human MRI scanners fully dedicated for research protocols, a 1.5 Tesla Siemens Sonata and a 3.0 Tesla Siemens Trio. Gradient coils are capable of imaging at 40mT/m with slew rates in excess of 200 T/m/s. These scanners include standard capabilities for echoplanar imaging, arterial spin labeled perfusion imaging, diffusion imaging, angiography, spectroscopy, and spectroscopic imaging. BOLD fMRI sequences include automatic higher order shimming and both prospective and retrospective motion correction. Gradient performance allows 4 mm isotropic voxels at TR=2 sec and 3 mm isotropic voxels at TR=3 sec (3T). Both systems have integrated body RF coils. The 1.5T system uses a receive-only head RF coil. The 3T system has several transmit/receive volume head coils and a multi-element receive only volume coil suitable for parallel acquisition schemes. Image data from these scanners can be ported directly to CD or a local workstation for back-up onto DVD for larger data sets. The research scanners operated by the Center for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy are located within the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and are staffed with MRI technologists skilled in imaging research protocols. Access to these scanners is available for approved protocols on an hourly basis at a nominal rate, currently $425 per hour. In addition to these research personnel, an on-call Radiologist is available and the scanners are equipped with full physiological monitoring capabilities, crash carts, and are accessible to Hospital code teams. An on-site engineer is available to maintain the scanners in the event of technical malfunction. Extensive expertise in pulse programming, radiofrequency coil design, and pulse sequence design is available within the Center. An electronics/machine shop is also available on-site.