We will be acquiring a new MRI scanner for functional
studies in the near future and I'd be pleased to have any
comments on specification points to discuss in detail with
the manufacturers.
Here's a list I've drawn up based on our experience in some
order of priority. At the end there is a list of things
which are "positively" unimportant.
- fMRI support sequences/hardware: High gradient field
strength. Automatic shimming. Segmentation sequences/
software. multi-phase head coils.
- Noise sensitivity and fMRI Q.C.: Methods to check for
noise on-site and regular fMRI Q.C. methods.
- Artifact suppression: Ghosting, movement suppression
online or offline.
- Data handling support: Proper data handling for fMRI
throughput (Remember the Siemens postage stamp and data
bases). Possibly off-line reconstruction.
- Dissemination cycle: Getting and implementing new
sequences/methods/ hardware from the factory.
- Open System: System access for sequence reprogramming,
interfacing for triggering etc.
- Support for modalities other than fMRI: Turnkey MRS,
diffusion imaging, quant. flow by labelling. Support for
real-time fMRI.
Things that are unimportant:
- Main magnet field strength: stick with 1.5 T
- We will be using SPM so we won't need any statistics
support.
______________________
R P Maguire Tel: +31 50 361 1009
A.Z.G. Neurology V4.121 Fax: +31 50 361 1707
NL-9700 RB Groningen Email: [log in to unmask]
The Netherlands
http://www.bcn.rug.nl/gnip
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|