Everyone is encouraging patients to "shop around" for their healthcare. But that can be confusing when you don't know exactly what to look for with an MRI! What machine is best? What questions should I ask? What does a 1.5T even mean? Dove Imaging healthcare group has been specially focused on MRI for more than 5 years.
Dove MRI has chosen the 1.5T magnet MRI scanners with 18 channels from Siemens, Germany over 3T/0.35T magnet strength, because this offers the best image quality in all body regions. Magnet strength is only one factor in MRI. Other factors that are equally important are number of channels, gradients, magnet homogeneity, Coils and clinical software. All the above factors influence MRI image quality & are needed for good images to be produced.
MRI is short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. To simplify a very complex machine, an MRI scanner is a very large, strong magnet. A patient lies in the magnet and a radio wave is used to send signals to the body and receive them back. The returning signals are converted into images by a computer attached to the scanner. MRI scanners come in different magnet field strengths measured in Teslas or "T", usually between 0.2T, 0.35T, 1.5T and 3.0T. They also come in varying sizes including, open and wide-bore.
The image quality of an MRI depends on signal, field strength and slew rate. So a 3T machine has much more signal than a 1.5T machine. 3T images can provide extremely clear and vivid images and can often be done faster, decreasing overall scan time. Both are of great value to the patient in terms of diagnosis and comfort. 3T is ideal for imaging small bones, breast MRI, musculoskeletal MRI, neurological MRI and vascular MRI, where the minute details are especially crucial to diagnosis. With that said, a 3T machine isn't always the best for every kind of imaging. 3T has a higher likely hood of artifacts (any object that appears in the image that is not in the original object); specifically "flow" artifacts due to blood or fluid. Additional heat and more noise compared to a 1.5T can also be a challenge with 3T. Therefore a 1.5T MRI with 18 channels or more is considered to be the gold standard in clinical care and is most suitable for clinical use in 95% cases.
Today, the standard for MRI in a clinical setting is a 1.5T MRI. A 1.5T machine is faster than lower strength MRIs and is ideal for abdomens and chest MRIs (where patients are asked to hold their breath for the MRI sequence). Where there is more signal with a 1.5T magnet than a 1.2T magnet, there are great options as to what can be done with the extra signal - you can run shorter scan times (reduces possible motion) and have higher quality images.
A true open MRI means that the machine is open on all four sides. The machine looks almost like a pancake, with the top of the machine close to the face/head of the patient. True open MRIs started at a very low strength of .2T, progressed to .3T, to .7T and now to 1.2T. A 1.2T machine is capable of producing diagnostic images, but the laws of physics state that it will inherently have less signal than a 1.5T magnet and therefore the image quality is much lower. Today, a 1.5T MRI is considered the standard for state-of-the-art imaging. The open options for a 1.5T are in wide-bore format. The size of the 'hole' (or bore) where the patient lies is 70 cm, providing more headroom than a true open MRI and is actually much more spacious - it is just not open on the sides. Many patients prefer the open feeling that a 1.5T wide-bore offers vs. the additional room for limbs. While the true open model is still advancing, many physicians and radiologists much prefer the images produced on the higher strength, normal bore 1.5T MRI for more accurate diagnosis.
A fun way to look at the strength of an MRI is through this example: Let's say a 1.2T magnet is a Toyota Camry - a 1.5T magnet is a Lexus - a 3T is a Ferrari. The Ferrari is in a league of its own, but is not practical for all purposes (can't put more than two people in it, can't carry any luggage, goes so fast you might get into an accident or a ticket, sits too low to the ground, etc.). The Toyota Camry and Lexus however are a lot closer to each other, but the Lexus has more features, better reputation and more advantages. If you were offered a brand new fully loaded free car, which would you prefer, the Camry or the Lexus? Another analogy is a hi-def TV - would you prefer a 70 inch set (1.5T) or a 56 inch set (1.2T). While the 56 inch set would do the trick, watching the Super Bowl on a 70 inch high-def screen would allow you to see every play at a better angle.
Dove MRI offers only 1.5T strength MRI in machines in our network because we believe that these are the best options for our patients, physicians and radiologists.
We are committed to providing the very best MRI experience by offering powerfully advanced Siemens Avanto 18 channel Tim + DOT + Tim CT technology MRI machines with the most experienced Radiologists and staff.