Siemens Prisma 3T at Emory Brain Health Center
MR Scanner
The Siemens Magnetom Prisma 3T whole-body MR system is equipped with
- a state-of-the art gradient system with a maximum (per axis) strength of 80 mT/m and slew rate of 200 T/m/sec
- 64 independent RF receiver channels capable of 204 receiver connections
- a 2-channel RF transmitter.
Multiple coils are available, including
- a 64-channel head/neck coil with 52 channels for imaging of the head region
- a 32-channel head-only coil
- a 20-channel head/neck coil with 16 channels for head
- spine array coil
- flexible chest coil
- large and small flexible coil for extremity imaging
It runs the Siemens Syngo VE11C software. In addition, it is equipped with DirectRF and DirectConnect technology, providing a significant increase in signal-to-noise ratio.
The Prisma scanner platform allows efficient acquisition of high-resolution fMRI and DTI images with protocols comparable to those released by the Human Connectome Project.
A number of advanced research sequences are also available, including
- Vessel Size Imaging
- quantitative Arterial Spin Labeling
- Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (for High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging)
- Simultaneous Multi-Slice EPI (allowing for sub-second high-resolution whole-brain fMRI data acquisition)
- displacement encoding (DENSE)
- multi-echo and ultra-short echo time sequences
Stimulus and response system for functional MRI
This MR scanner suite is equipped with peripheral systems for fMRI.
- Stimulus/response controls for behavioral tasks concurrent with fMRI are supported by an array of hardware specifically designed to allow investigator flexibility and precision.
- Visual presentation is provided by a Cambridge Research Systems 24" BOLDScreen MRI compatible LED displays.
- Audio presentation is provided by an Avotec Silent Scan 3100 that has been calibrated to maintain sound pressure levels that are dependent directly on input (flat frequency response +/- 4dB, 200-4500Hz range).
- FMRI feedback can be taken by a set of response devices from Current Designs.