Overcoming the Limitations of Traditional MRI Machines: True Open MRI

Overcoming the Limitations of Traditional MRI Machines: True Open MRI explained by PostDICOM

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has carved a firm niche for itself in the world of medical imaging. Besides being radiation-free and, therefore, a safer form of medical imaging, it is also better suited for imaging non-bony anatomy of the body compared to the CT scan. MRI offers better images of soft tissues, organs, and blood vessels. In particular, it is useful in assessing blood flow to organs and blood vessel size. MRI scans play an important role in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries, stroke, head trauma, and blood vessel conditions such as aneurysms.

However, the MRI is still being underutilized for diagnostic purposes. While a major limiting factor in its use is the cost, the traditional MRI machine also has other drawbacks that limit its use.

How does the conventional MRI work?

The MRI works by using the magnetic properties of human tissues. The human body, which is largely composed of water, has a huge number of protons in the form of hydrogen ions. When these protons are placed in a powerful magnetic field, they align themselves parallel to the field. High frequency radio waves are then applied within this field, which excite the protons. Once the waves are switched off, the protons realign themselves along the field and give off the excess energy as electromagnetic radiation. This is captured by the viewer in the form of an image. Since the protons largely come from water, MRI can principally distinguish between areas with high water content and high fat content.


What are the drawbacks of the traditional MRI machine?

The principle of the MRI demands the presence of high electromagnetic fields within an enclosed space for accuracy. It is necessary for the patient to lie down in this enclosed space, which resembles a wide, closed cylindrical tube, during the MRI scan. The scan can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 90 minutes and the patient must remain still for this duration in order to obtain accurate results. All these factors create several drawbacks from patients’ point of view:


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What is an open MRI?

The open MRI machine was designed to overcome these drawbacks. So, what does an open MRI look like? What is the difference between an open and closed MRI?

As the name suggests, the open MRI machine consists of an ‘open’ tube rather than a closed one. Patients do not have to lie completely within an enclosed tube. All or at least part of the patient’s body is exposed to the external environment. This tends to calm the patient and reduce feelings of claustrophobia.


What does an open MRI machine look like?

Overcoming the Limitations of Traditional MRI Machines: True Open MRI explained by PostDICOM

Several types of open MRI scanners have been designed. Each scanner offers some unique design features and advantages:



Are there any disadvantages of open MRI?

The surface area of the magnets is smaller in an open MRI machine, primarily because the magnets are placed on two opposing sides rather than circumferentially. So, is there a difference between open and closed MRI? In terms of tesla (the unit used to measure magnetic field strength), the open MRI has a much lower value compared with traditional MRI. Most open MRIs have a value of 0.3 to 0.7 T. The more advanced open MRI scanner has a maximum value of 1.2 T. However, closed MRIs are more powerful and have magnetic fields ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 T. Most of the disadvantages of open MRI are due to its lower magnetic field:


Open vs closed MRI machines—when to use which

It is obvious that both closed and open MRI systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. So how do you know which system to choose? Is an open MRI as accurate as a closed MRI? You need to be able to balance the comfort level of the patient with the accuracy of images needed. In general, the following tips may be useful when determining which MRI to go with:


Open or closed MRI scanners: the design is not the only thing that matters

Overcoming the Limitations of Traditional MRI Machines: True Open MRI explained by PostDICOM

We have seen that the main debate in using open or closed scanners is patient comfort vs. image quality. However, image quality does not depend only on the magnetic field, which is one area where closed scanners score over open scanners. The image quality also depends on two additional factors:


While technical skill can be learned and developed with experience, it is equally important to invest in good quality software that allows technicians and doctors to handle high-resolution MRI images correctly. Here are some of the features that your software should have:


PostDICOM—viewing and storage solutions for high quality MRI images

PostDICOM offers software solutions for both medical image viewing and storage. Irrespective of whether you acquire images using an open or closed MRI system, our free to try PostDICOM viewer ensures that you have an optimum image viewing experience. With all the basic and advanced editing tools available, you can extract maximum information from the MRI images. The DICOM viewer works on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac OS and Android, so you can view these images from any device.

Storing and backing up those important MRI scans has never been easier with PostDICOM’s cloud-based PACS. With PostDICOM services, images viewed and edited in your DICOM viewer can directly be stored online and shared easily. The Cloud PACS also supports storage of clinical documents which are not in DICOM format. This ensures that the images truly become part of the patient’s medical record. Additional storage is available at a nominal cost.

To make sure that you get the best out of MRI image viewing and analysis, register for a PostDICOM account of Cloud PACS storage today!

Notebook PostDICOM Viewer

Cloud PACS and Online DICOM Viewer

Upload DICOM images and clinical documents to PostDICOM servers. Store, view, collaborate, and share your medical imaging files.