The Imaging facility is used for non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on Human subjects. It houses two scanners: a 3 Tesla whole body magnet (Siemens, MAGNETOM Prisma) located at the Arison MRI facility building, and a 7 Tesla** whole body magnet (Siemens, MAGNETOM Terra) that is located at the Azrieli National Institute for human brain imaging and research at Lubin building.
The systems are being used primarily in Neuroscience research for functional brain imaging (fMRI), an advanced imaging technique that enables to map brain activity. They are also employed in the development and testing of new acquisition and processing tools for imaging and spectroscopy, as well as in utilizing these tools for characterizing structural, functional and metabolic features, in health and disease.
Both systems offer 64 receive channels, MR gradients capable of high speed (80 mT/m @ 200 T/m/s), parallel transmit technology and applications, and multinuclear options .
The 3 Tesla scanner is equipped with unique coils for whole body 1H imaging and spectroscopy (including 32 channel head coil, 20 channels and 64 channels head/neck coils, a spine 32 matrix coil, 18 channels breast coil, a 18 channels body matrix coil, a knee coil Tx/15 Rx, a Tx/Rx CP head coil, and a 7 cm loop coil). Among the applications that are included on the system are BOLD imaging, diffusion and perfusion imaging, susceptibility weighted imaging, MR angiography, flow measurements, Spectroscopy, neuro-imaging, breast imaging, whole-body imaging, and abdominal imaging.
The 7 Tesla system is a dual mode system (Clinical and Research), with 16 Channel RF-transmit in research mode. The system is equipped with three head coils: 1Tx/32Rx (Nova), 8Tx/32Rx (Nova), and 16Tx/32Rx, a knee coil 1Tx/28Rx, and an11 cm loop Coil.
Both systems offer a full range of MR compatible peripheral devices that can be used for fMRI studies: A visual system for presenting high-quality visual stimuli in the MRI, headphones, response devices (fORP, Current Designs), a dual channel fiber optic noise cancellation microphone system (OptoAcoustics), an eye tracking system (EyeLink), and a system for physiological data monitoring and acquisition (BIOPAC MP150/MP160) during MRI. Fiber optic temperature sensors (Rugged Monitoring) are also installed in both systems and allow temperature monitoring in various experiments.
Additionally, the facility includes an MRI simulator – a non magnetic replication of the 3T MR environment to familiarize and train the participants with the research setting.
Our service includes:
- Operating the scanners – Our team includes experienced MR radiographers that deliver the scans and adapt the scanning workflow to align with the unique requirements of each study. Additionally, we offer training for users who want to learn how to operate the scanners.
- Sequences optimizations – Our team can help in optimizing the MR protocols acquisition parameters to achieve the highest data quality tailored to advanced research applications.
- Sequence programming – We assist in sequence programming, including both pulse sequences and image reconstruction implementation.
- Integrating and implementing various tools and new pulse sequences on the scanners. These also include new scanning sequences and protocols derived via research collaborations.
- Operating of Peripheral Equipment – We assist the researchers in operating the peripheral equipment and in data acquisition. This include collecting the physiological measurements, eye tracking, monitoring temperature changes with optic fibers, and acoustic measurements,
- Support for the optimal and safe integration of supplementary equipment, including new MR coils. Performing electrical measurements. Development and approval of equipment/instruments for experimental use.
**For studies that involve the use of the institute’s 7-Tesla MRI, consider to submit a proposal (https://centers.weizmann.ac.il/AzrieliBrain/call-proposals). Successful applicants will receive a grant.