On the surface, the 4.7T MRI scanner, located in the Department of Medical Physics, may look the same as the day it arrived back in 2007. But when you take a look and peek inside, it’s been revamped from the inside out.
The 4.7T MRI is currently the only one of its kind on campus and is used for a variety of research in animals up to 600 grams. From breast cancer to brain seizure models, this equipment allows investigators to visualize and quantify a variety of in vivo processes including anatomical structures, tumor morphology, blood flow/vessels, fiber pathways, drug effects, molecular imaging, brain activity, and heart motion.
The recent upgrade delivered a much needed boost in order to provide investigators with a state-of-the-art experience. Most notably, the 4.7T MRI now offers a more modern software environment with increased stability. Technical support is also more readily available for the development of improved scan protocols.
Additional upgrades include:
- new gradient power amplifiers for improved functional and diffusion imaging
- maintained and enhanced capability for non-proton imaging and applications
- better collaboration between medical imaging file formats allowing for interoperability with analysis and post processing packages as well as other imaging modalities
“MRI is a wonderful resource for researchers to gain longitudinal, real-time data in a non-invasive way for their subjects,” says facility manager Beth Rauch. “Our 4.7T small bore system provides up to 100um resolution on in-vivo small animals and a variety of ex-vivo or non-living samples. The software and gradient package provided by MR Solutions enhances and updates the ability of our magnet allowing for more advanced dynamic and functional imaging.”
Planning for the upgrade began back in 2020 and included support from a UW Core Revitalization grant from the office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education with additional funding support from the UW Carbone Cancer Center, the Department of Medical Physics, the Department of Radiology, and the School of Medicine and Public Health.
“This upgrade greatly enhances our capabilities in non-invasive imaging to study biology and disease in pre-clinical settings,” says facility director, Professor Alan McMillan, PhD. “The investment in this valuable resource will undoubtedly help our collaborators on campus improve the understanding of biology, better monitor disease progression, and validate the effectiveness of new treatments. Its impact will be felt for many years to come.”
The 4.7T MRI and other equipment in the Small Animal Imaging and Radiotherapy Facility (SAIRF) are available as a fee-for-service laboratory to UW Carbone Cancer Center members, UW investigators and industry. Investigators interested in learning more about its services and using the facility should contact Beth Rauch at brauch@wisc.edu or visit https://cancer.wisc.edu/research/resources/sairf/services