Kirby Research Center

Features of the Kirby Center's Magnet Systems

Scan Room	The scan rooms were designed to optimize radio frequency shielding. No RF producing equipment is used within the scan room without careful attention to shielding. Indeed, most ancillary equipment that is necessary for fMRI studies is located outside the scanner room. For example, the video projector for fMRI visual stimuli is located in the equipment room and a waveguide has been integrated into the room's RF shield to allow projection of video stimuli onto a rear projection screen in the magnet.
1.5T & 3.0T Magnets	The Philips 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla MRI scanners have many advanced and unique features to optimize functional MRI studies. For example: The 1.5T magnet has the shortest bore available in a 1.5T scanner system, 60 cm. bore size with 60 cm. diameter. The bore flares out to the front and back for a total magnet length of 179 cm. cover-to-cover. A second radio frequency channel is available for heteronuclear and homonuclear MR spectroscopy with decoupling interleaved with fast imaging. Gradient strength of 23 mT/m, with a rise time 105 T/m/s Advanced imaging capabilities, including The 3.0T magnet has the same dimensions as the 1.5T, with gradient strength at 80mT/m.
Physiologic Monitoring	ECG, Peripheral Pulse, Respiration Recording breakout box ECG, Pulse Oximeter, End tidal CO2 (In Vivo Millennia 3500) Non-invasive blood pressure (Millennia 3500)
Simulator	The center houses a full scale model of the Philips Magnet System with an authentic bore configuration and front face provided by Philips Medical Systems. The simulator features a hidden surround sound system to replicate the sonic environment of the MR scanner. Sounds produced by any sequence implemented on the MR scanner can be recorded for playback. The simulators used for acclimatizing subjects in the MR environment and thereby minimizing subject motion during functional imaging exams. This is especially useful in training children, the elderly, and persons with psychiatric disorders.
Power Conditioning	A 100 kVA uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is used to provide continuous conditioning of the power to the scanner hardware. This shields the gradient and radiofrequency amplifiers from any fluctuations in building power and provides high stability for sensitive functional MRI studies.
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