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3T MRI
The 3T MRI Core Facility is used primarily but not exclusively for in-vivo studies of human and animal structure and function in the areas of respiratory, cardiovascular, orthopedic and neuro. These studies include assessment of anatomy, physiology and other tissue characteristics, not only in normal and research populations, but also in in-vivo animal models and in-vitro phantom/tissue samples using a variety of advanced nuclear magnetic resonance imaging techniques.
The 3T MRI Core Facility represents a unique regional resource for state-of-the-art evaluation using a variety of MRI techniques in a research setting. The facility resources are available to peer-reviewed grant funded scientific collaborators with appropriate Research Ethics Board (REB) protocols in place.
Some of the current studies include, hyperpolarized helium lung imaging COPD and asthma, Alzheimer's studies, carotid artery imaging, knee cartilage imaging, cellular and molecular imaging with various contrast media.
Helispin
The HeliSpin™ core facility processes helium-3, an investigational tracer gas used for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the lungs which is not possible with conventional (proton) MR imaging. It opened in February 2005 and consists of two HeliSpin™ helium-3 polarizers and a stand-alone polarimetry station manufactured by General Electric Healthcare (GEHC). This equipment was made available to Robarts through a tripartite agreement with GEHC and Merck. Robarts' interest in health research and ability to perform small animal imaging and host clinical trials coupled with Merck's interest in drug discovery and GEHC's interest in magnetic resonance hardware and software development are conducive to the establishment of the HeliSpin™ core facility.
Scientific Director:
Dr. Paula Foster - pfoster@imaging.robarts.ca
Dr. Giles Santyr - gsantyr@imaging.robarts.ca
Imaging Group
Further information about the 3T GE MRI core facility can be found at: http://imaging.robarts.ca/3t including booking instructions and on-line schedule. Billing details can be found under ‘SOP Documents’.
For more information on the facility, booking etc. please contact the Facility staff:
T Szekeres and S Halko at 519-663-5777 ext 24109, E-mail: tszekere@uwo.ca and shalko@imaging.robarts.ca
For a downloadable PDF, click here.