Upgrade and Refurbishment of a 7T MRI Scanner for Research

摘要 这是一个应用程序升级7特斯拉磁共振成像（MRI）和光谱（MRS） 这是范德比尔特大学的一个系统，过去曾用于人类和大型动物研究 13+年。升级（更换控制台，包括计算机、光谱仪和射频模块）是 （a）因为13年后光谱仪和电子设备不再是最先进的， 性能限制了正在进行的研究项目，以及（B）制造商（Philips）已经开发了新的， 改进硬件，采用更先进的数字技术，与他们的主要3T产品相匹配， 将来无法为当前系统提供升级、维护或充分支持。的 升级将确保这一重要资源的持续生产力，同时提供 增强的能力。仅在过去3年中，该设备已被20多个不同的研究人员使用 47个项目。我们在不同领域的文献中发表了超过75篇文章。高场 该系统用于5个主要领域的研究：[1]成像和光谱的新技术发展 在超高场使用的方法;[2]研究人类受试者的大脑结构、组织和功能， 用于基础神经科学和神经病学、精神病学和神经外科的临床应用;[3] 脊柱的功能、结构和疾病;[4]大型非人类大脑结构和功能的研究 灵长类动物，包括神经调节的新方法;[5]钠成像和多核MRS研究， 生物化学和体内代谢，在代谢紊乱中的应用。 范德比尔特的7T MRI扫描仪是我们的旗舰研究平台。2006年以700万美元的价格购买 当时它是世界上首批10个这样的系统之一。它被安置在400吨钢铁中， 追加100万元。自安装以来，它已经收到了几个升级，包括增加了8个通道 多发射机系统，并已工作得很好，相对较少的停机时间。16大项目 用户（33个不同的补助金）将需要大约74%的仪器使用（1480小时/年），5个次要 用户（7个授权）将需要大约6%的时间，剩余的时间将用于探索 研究和新方向。每个项目都将受益于7T成像的优势，包括 高信噪比（SNR）、高空间分辨率、CEST和MRS的高光谱色散，以及 用于检测由特定对比机制（例如BOLD）引起的变化的灵敏度。扫描仪 位于范德比尔特大学成像科学研究所内，有适当的支持空间， 由MRI专家和工作人员的既定小组使用和支持。作出了全面部署 为扫描仪的财政和技术支持以及扫描仪的管理和使用而开发的， 这一系统得到强有力的机构支持和监督。

Abstract This is an application to upgrade a 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) system at Vanderbilt University that has been used for human subjects and large animal research for the past 13+ years. The upgrade (a replacement console, including computers, spectrometer and RF modules) is required (a) because after 13 years the spectrometer and electronics are no longer state-of-the-art and their performance limits ongoing research projects, and (b) the manufacturer (Philips) has developed new and improved hardware with more advanced digital technology that matches their main 3T products, and they will not be able to provide upgrades, maintenance or adequate support for the current system in the future. The upgrade will ensure the continuing productivity of this important resource, and at the same time provide enhanced capabilities. In the past 3 years alone the device has been used by over 20 different investigators across 47 projects. We have contributed over 75 publications to the literature in different areas. The high field system is used for research in 5 primary areas: [1] novel technical developments of imaging and spectroscopic methods for use at ultra-high fields; [2] studies of brain structure, organization and function in human subjects, for basic neuroscience and clinical applications in neurology, psychiatry and neurosurgery; [3] studies of the function, structure and disorders of the spine; [4] studies of brain structure and function in large non-human primates, including novel methods of neuromodulation; [5] imaging of sodium and multinuclear MRS studies of biochemistry and metabolism in vivo, with applications in metabolic disorders. The 7T MRI scanner at Vanderbilt is our flagship research platform. It was purchased for $7 million in 2006 when it was one of the first 10 such systems in the world. It is housed in 400 tons of steel that cost an additional $1 million. Since installation it has received several upgrades, including the addition of an 8 channel multi-transmitter system, and has worked well with relatively little down time. The projects of the 16 Major Users (33 different grants) would require approximately 74% use of the instrument (1480 hours/yr), the 5 Minor Users (7 grants) would require about 6% of the time, and the remaining time would be available for exploratory research and new directions. Each of the projects will benefit from the advantages of imaging at 7T, including high signal to noise ratio (SNR), high spatial resolution, high spectral dispersion for CEST and MRS, and high sensitivity for detecting changes caused by specific contrast mechanisms such as BOLD. The scanner is housed within the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, has appropriate support spaces, and is used and supported by an established group of MRI experts and staff. A comprehensive plan has been developed for the financial and technical support of the scanner as well as for its management and use, and the system is assured of strong institutional support and oversight.