To support a wide range of advanced imaging studies, the Tulane Advanced Imaging Center (TAIC) offers state-of-the-art equipment and specialized technologies designed to enhance image quality, improve diagnostic capabilities, and optimize the research experience for both investigators and participants.
Siemens MAGNETOM Skyra 3T MRI System
The system features a short and wide appearance (173 cm system length and 70 cm bore) to reduce patient anxiety and claustrophobia. The Skyra comes equipped with actively shielded water-cooled gradient system (45 mT/m gradients with a slew rate of 200 T/m/s) that allows for faster acquisition times and improved spatial resolution as well as a digital RF transmit and receive architecture to reduce dielectric effects. The system provides simultaneous connectivity and parallel imaging across a 48-channel Tim phased array coil system.
Standard and Advanced RF Coils
- 32-channel head/neck coil
- 32-channel spine coil
- 18-channel body coil
- 4-channel flex coil, large
- 4-channel flex coil, small
Standard and Advanced Imaging and Analysis Packages
- Tim Application Suite for head-to-toe imaging
- Advanced Diffusion
- Susceptibility Weighted Imaging
- Inline BOLD Imaging
- 3D PACE
- BOLD 3D Evaluation
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging
- DTI Evaluation
- DTI Tractography
- Neuro Perfusion
- Arterial Spin Labeling
- Simultaneous Multi-Slice EPI
- Compressed Sensing Cardiac Cine
- Advanced Cardiac
- MyoMaps
- Flow Quantification
- Argus Flow
- Argus 4D Ventricular Function
Visual and Auditory Stimulus Presentation
Visual stimuli can be presented by a 40”, 60Hz, 4K-Ultra High Definition (3840 x 2160) LCD display mounted on a height adjustable mobile foot stand from Nordic Neuro Lab. Auditory stimuli can be delivered through a set of S15 insert earphones from Sensiometrics that attenuate scanner noise and employs a cable designed to be safe and robust against RF frequency and power levels produced in fMRI research.
Current Designs 932 - The opto-electronic interface receives optical signals from the handheld devices in the MR suite and converts them into electronic signals for the computer. The 932 is standards-based: its outputs are not designed to be used with a specific program or hardware platform, but are instead designed to work with all platforms. This interface provides complete USB, Serial, and Parallel outputs.
Current Designs HHSC-1x5-N4 - Five Button Fiber Optic Response Pad for computer research tasks in fMRI.
Lumina 3G Controller – Converts inputs including button presses and scanner triggers into simultaneous USB port and m-pod outputs. Synchronize trial starts at the same time as a scan. Other features include precise recording of visual stimuli onset through its high resolution timer and support for simultaneous recording of two respond pads of up to five keys each. Supported by packages including SuperLab, E-Prime, Matlab and Presentation.
The facility is equipped with an Expression MR400 Patient Monitoring System from Philips. The system is 3T MR conditional and provides wireless ECG and SpO2 monitoring. Additional features of the system includes non-invasive blood pressure, end-tidal and inspired CO2, respiration, and temperature.
Bayer MEDRAD MRxperion MR Injection System is a dual syringe power injector that provides precise and efficient administration of contrast and saline during MRI.
Replicates the experience of undergoing an MRI scan including the look, feel, and sounds through a physical mock-up of the MR environment. Especially useful for pediatric participants to get accustomed to the environment before their experience in the real scanner. The simulator can be used also to assess the participant’s ability to complete an MRI without sedation.
The Premier XP MRI-Compatible Veterinary Anesthesia Machine from DRE Veterinary comes equipped with a Penlon Nuffield 200 anesthesia ventilator and SELECTATEC Isoflurane vaporizer.
