With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), doctors can view the brain, spine, bones, joints, and internal organs in a way that is not possible with other diagnostic equipment. The MRI creates detailed images of soft tissue, muscles, nerves, and bones through the use of a powerful magnet, radio waves, and computer technology. This procedure assists doctors in quickly and accurately diagnosing conditions, without surgery or radiation.

The MRI, or scanner, features a magnet that causes your body's hydrogen atoms to align with the magnetic field. A coil, which acts as a radio antenna, is placed near the area that is being examined. The scanner generates a radio signal, and your body's hydrogen atoms return a signal which is processed by the computer and transformed into incredibly detailed images.

Normal 3D time-of-flight MR angiography of the Circle of Willis reformatted in the axial plane.

A paramagnetic, or contrast agent, may be given intravenously, as part of an MRI exam. This helps to highlight certain structures. Certain conditions, such as pregnancy, medical implants, or pacemakers should be discussed with your physician before undergoing the MRI exam.

The Open MRI is open on the sides allowing the patient to see around them during the exam. There is easy patient access allowing a parent to hold a child's hand, or comfort the patient during the exam. Many times the Open MRI can scan patients who are too large to go into a conventional MRI. The Open MRI utilizes advanced hardware and software that make it possible to run most of the sequences found on the 1.5T MRI systems.

The advanced imaging techniques available with this system include a sophisticated neuro-imaging package offering FLAIR and magnetization-transfer sequences, as well as fast-spin echo and inversion recovery fat-saturation techniques. High-resolution scanning allows the performance of thin-slice imaging to examine the head for pituitary tumors and acoustic neuromas. MR Angiography capabilities include 2D and 3D time-of-flight and phase contrast pulse sequences. For musculoskeletal imaging, in addition to routine high-resolution protocols, a dedicated 3D DESS sequence is available, tailored to evaluate articular cartilage.