Open, low-field MRI that fits into a doctor's exam table
Advancing MRI with an open inhomogeneous B0 magnet
Building a quiet, low-cost MRI that fits into a doctor's exam table so more patients can get scans quickly and comfortably in clinics instead of hospitals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306674 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team is creating a small, quiet MRI that can be built into an exam table or mounted on a wall so you can lie flat or stand for spine and limb scans. They are using new ways to encode the magnetic field, redesigned radiofrequency coils, and novel pulse sequences to improve image quality and separate fat and water signals. The researchers will optimize scanning across a focused volume (about 24x24x20 cm) and test several methods to manipulate contrast. The goal is a compact, lower-cost device that could be used in doctors' offices rather than only in hospitals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people needing spine, limb, or localized organ imaging who can lie flat or stand for focused-volume scans and who want faster access to MRI in a clinic setting.
Not a fit: Patients who need whole-body, very high-field or ultra-high-resolution brain/vascular studies, or those with implants incompatible with low-field MRI, may not benefit from this device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make MRI scans more accessible, affordable, and comfortable by enabling clinic-based, quiet imaging for diagnosis and follow-up.
How similar studies have performed: Recent portable and low-field MRI systems have shown promising clinical results, but this open-table design using advanced encoding and reconstruction methods is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Constable, R Todd — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Constable, R Todd
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.