SBIR-STTR Award

This program aims to demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing a realistic Point-Of-Care MRI scanner with a novel architecture specifically designed for imaging the human head and C- spine. The innovative MRI platform is made possible by our unique capabilities in MRI system integration, superconducting magnet design, superconducting wire technology, and pragmatic approaches to cryogenic engineering. The scanner would be based on a 1.5 T (or higher) high homogeneity magnet that would be a superconducting, cryogen-free, persistent mode, and self- shielded device. The scanner would use specifically designed advanced gradient and RF coils, and a console constructed from commercially available components, (those to be demonstrated in Phase II). Demonstrations of the intended Point-Of-Care MRI scanner opens the door to a new era in neurological imaging by offering an application-specific MRI magnet system with: low manufacturing cost, low operational cost, easy installation, and good ergonomics for the patient and technologists. The goals of the program are well in line with the NIH/NIBIB goals related to the development of Point-of-Care Technologies.

Public Health Relevance:
This program aims to demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing a realistic Point-Of-Care MRI scanner with a novel architecture specifically designed for imaging the human head and C- spine. Demonstrations of the optimized MRI scanner opens the door to a new era in application-specific neurological imaging magnet systems. It is specifically addressed at the major areas of public health: stroke and trauma. The goals of the program are well in line with the NIH/NIBIB goals related to the development of Point-of-Care Technologies.

Public Health Relevance Statement:


Project narrative:
This program aims to demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing a realistic Point-Of-Care MRI scanner with a novel architecture specifically designed for imaging the human head and C- spine. Demonstrations of the optimized MRI scanner opens the door to a new era in application-specific neurological imaging magnet systems. It is specifically addressed at the major areas of public health: stroke and trauma. The goals of the program are well in line with the NIH/NIBIB goals related to the development of Point-of-Care Technologies.

Project Terms:
Address; Apoplexy; Architecture; Area; Care Technology Points; Cerebral Stroke; Cerebrovascular Apoplexy; Cerebrovascular Stroke; Cerebrovascular accident; Clinical; Consumption; Custom; Development; Devices; Electronics; Engineering; Engineering / Architecture; Engineerings; Figs; Figs - dietary; Goals; Head; Human; Human, General; Image; MR Imaging; MR Tomography; MRI; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan; Magnetism; Man (Taxonomy); Man, Modern; Mechanics; Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; Methods and Techniques; Methods, Other; Modeling; Motivation; NMR Imaging; NMR Tomography; Neurologic; Neurological; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Operation; Operative Procedures; Operative Surgical Procedures; Patients; Phase; Programs (PT); Programs [Publication Type]; Public Health; RF coil; Resolution; Scanning; Services; Site; Solutions; Spinal Column; Spine; Staging; Stroke; Surgical; Surgical Interventions; Surgical Procedure; System; System, LOINC Axis 4; Systems Integration; Techniques; Technology; Technology Points, Care; Testing; Trauma; Vascular Accident, Brain; Vertebral column; Zeugmatography; backbone; base; brain attack; cerebral vascular accident; commercialization; cost; cryogenics; cryostat; design; designing; ergonomics; imaging; innovate; innovation; innovative; magnetic; novel; point of care; point of care technology; programs; public health medicine (field); public health relevance; stroke; surgery

This program will develop and manufacture a realistic Point-of-Care Neurological MRIScanner with a novel architecture specifically designed for imaging a human brain and C-spine based on a modern low cost magnet, which features ease of operation and low operating cost. Once the functionality of the scanner is demonstrated, the scanner can be used to image other parts of the head in addition to the brain. Also, the scanner that we propose has a through bore and allows whole-body scanning on a large fraction of the human public and offers MRI scans to the public in the rural locations as well as under-served areas. The scanner we intend to develop will work wherever there can be electricity.

Public Health Relevance:
According to NIH/NIBIB website, ""There is a critical need for developing improved and rapid diagnostic information for patients experiencing neurological emergencies such as stroke and head injury."" NIBIB lists low-cost imaging as one of the four areas that are in need of Point-of-Care technology development. This program will develop and manufacture a realistic Point-of-Care Neurological MRI Scanner with a novel architecture specifically designed for imaging a human brain and C-spine based on a modern low cost magnet, which features ease of operation and low operating cost. The reasons we refer to this B0 magnet as realistic are: i) In the Phase I work we demonstrated all the key elements of such a magnet, ii) the entire B0 magnet with its cryocooler and compressor weighs less than 500 kg, and iii) development of the proposed cryogen-free MRI magnet is based on proven and reliable low temperature superconductors, and not on superconductors that have been under development. Our technology is here now.

Thesaurus Terms:
Apoplexy;Architecture;Area;Brain;Brain Nervous System;Brain Vascular Accident;Businesses;Care Technology Points;Cerebral Stroke;Cerebrovascular Apoplexy;Cerebrovascular Stroke;Clinical;Craniocerebral Injuries;Craniocerebral Trauma;Custom;Development;Development And Research;Devices;Diagnostic;Electricity;Electronics;Elements;Encephalon;Engineering / Architecture;Funding;General Hospitals;Goals;He Element;Head;Head Injuries;Head Trauma;Helium;Human;Human Resources;Image;Industrialization;Loinc Axis 4 System;Liquid Substance;Location;Mr Imaging;Mr Tomography;Mri;Mri Scans;Magnetic Resonance Imaging;Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan;Magnetism;Man (Taxonomy);Manpower;Massachusetts;Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance;Modeling;Modern Man;Nibib;Nih;Nmr Imaging;Nmr Tomography;National Institute Of Biomedical Imaging And Bioengineering;National Institutes Of Health;Neurologic;Neurologic Emergencies;Neurological;Neurological Emergencies;Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging;Patients;Performance;Phase;Position;Positioning Attribute;R &D;R&D;Rf Coil;Research;Resolution;Rural;Scanning;Spinal Column;Spine;System;Technology;United States National Institutes Of Health;Vertebral Column;Work;Zeugmatography;Backbone;Base;Brain Attack;Cerebral Vascular Accident;Cerebrovascular Accident;Cold Temperature;Commercialization;Cost;Cryostat;Design;Designing;Developmental;Experience;Fluid;Imaging;Improved;Liquid;Low Temperature;Magnetic;Meetings;Next Generation;Novel;Operation;Personnel;Point Of Care;Point Of Care Technology;Pre-Clinical;Preclinical;Programs;Research And Development;Stroke;Success;Technology Development;Web Site;Website;Whole Body Imaging;Whole Body Scanning