Interventional MR Facilities

The interventional MR suite at the University of California - San Francisco opened in March, 2001 and features a unique hybrid imaging approach to vascular interventions.
X-ray with MR in back MR Console

The X/MR suite couples a complete cath lab (left; Integris V 5000) with a state of the art short bore MR scanner (right; 1.5 Tesla Intera I/T). Although the cath lab is situated no more than 6 m from the isocenter of the magnet, it is fully functional and routinely performs rotational angiography. The MR system is capable of the full range of MR applications, from MR fluoroscopy to turbo spectroscopic imaging.

transfer

The two units are situated in an in-line configuration and feature table modifications that permit patient transfer between the two systems on a continuous track. Shown above is the cath lab table base after it has moved forward and docked with the MR table. At this point the patient can be moved seemlessly between the two systems.

MR - Front MR - Back

The Intera I/T system features interactive real-time scanning that can be controlled on a 20" LCD examination room console. This examination room console can be used either at the front (left) or rear (right) magnet access. A custom RF shielded door, which also features radiation shielding and acoustic damping, separates the two suites. This allows the equipment to be used either as two individual units, or one comprehensive interventional suite.