MR Solutions 3 T benchtop MRI scanner

MR Solutions has released its 3 T, helium-free and cryogen-free MRI benchtop scanner. The scanner provides good soft tissue contrast and molecular imaging capability and, because of its design, it only takes up the space of a desk.

The product does away with the usual liquid helium cooling system by using a magnet design incorporating superconducting wire. This enables the use of a standard low-temperature cryocooler to cool the magnet to the required 4° K (-269°C) needed to achieve superconductivity.

The scanner does not have to be in a separate metal-lined room (a Faraday cage) as its stray magnetic field is only a few centimetres and will not interfere with the other equipment in a laboratory. The elimination of the helium cooling system has allowed the optimum installation of an additional solenoid which counters the stray magnetic field.