Human Imaging

What we can do for you

The Human Imaging Core (HIC) provides resources for structural and functional imaging and spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) are available on our two 3 Tesla full body scanners and a 7 Tesla full body scanner. In addition to data acquisition, we support MRI and MRS protocol development, functional MRI (fMRI) experimental design, subject preparation, structural and functional image analysis, and training on image analysis techniques and tools. Additional resources available include optical coherence tomography (OCT), Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), PET/CT, and ultrasound.

Description

The Human Imaging Core is dedicated to the application of advanced and prototypical MRI methods to study specific organ systems of the human body such as: nervous (central and peripheral), muscular-skeletal, cardio-pulmonary, and integumentary systems. Additionally, many ongoing projects focus on development and validation of novel MRI biomarkers for the assessment of numerous diseases (e.g. cancer, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, concussion), conditions (cognitive impairment, learning disability), and normal function (activation of the human brain, sensitivity to pain). Specifically, our researchers are working on MRI methods sensitive to 1) tissue anisotropy, 2) tissue composition, 3) tissue metabolism, and 4) tissue function.

Information

Training

Project Resources

MRI Training

MRI Resources

PET/CT

DXA

X-Ray and Ultrasound

3 Tesla MRI ScannersThe HIC houses two whole body 3T MRI scanners fully dedicated to research studies, the Philip 3TX Elition with a 70 cm bore and the Philips 3T Ingenia CX with a 60 cm bore. Both scanners have 2 channel RF transmit capability for imaging and an array of receive RF coils for imaging the head, torso, and the extremities. Both 3T systems have Philips peripheral pulse, respiratory and cardiac gating capabilities as well as a complete suite of audio/visual presentation equipment and software for functional MRI studies. The scanners operate on the state-of-the art Philips software platform with capabilities like compressed sensing, simultaneous multislice imaging, multinuclear imaging, MR spectroscopy, realtime motion monitoring (FIRMM) and Philips dStream technology.
 
7 Tesla MRI ScannerThe HIC houses a whole body 7 Tesla MRI scanner with a 90 cm bore for ultra-high resolution, high SNR imaging. The 7T scanner is equipped with state-of-the-art 8 channel RF transmit and multichannel channel receive capability for head imaging. Spinal cord imaging is offered with a dedicated 16 channel spine coil. The system software offers the latest imaging capabilities like compressed sensing, simultaneous multislice imaging, multinuclear imaging, MR spectroscopy, realtime motion monitoring (FIRMM), all with Philips dStream technology. The system has peripheral pulse, respiratory and cardiac gating capabilities and a complete suite of audio/visual presentation equipment for functional MRI studies. 
 
Mock ScannerThis laboratory consists of an inactive scanner identical to that of our research systems, and includes an audio system for playing reproductions of scanner noises. This laboratory is designed to introduce patients, particularly children, to the environment in the actual scanner, and to screen for claustrophobia.
 
Exercise PhysiologyOxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and total hemoglobin concentration changes can be recorded using the portable 24-channel Hitachi ETG-4000 Near Infra-Red Optical Tomography system.
 
Optical Coherence TomographySPECTRALIS OCT is a non-invasive ophthalmic multimodality imaging instrument which uses near-infrared light to visualize and measure the thickness of retinal layers. Real time tracking of the retinal structures can be used to detect early signs of eye conditions, diabetes, and coronary events. Click here for a video!
 
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)The Hologic Horizon series W scanner incorporates 128 multi-channel detectors (2mm) consisting of CdWO4 scintillators coupled to silicon diodes, an indexing table, and motorized C-arm. The x-ray tube operates with a fan beam and a single pass acquisition with switching pulsating dual-energy x-rays. It operates at 100kV and 140kV, 2.5mA average at 25% duty cycle, 5.0mA average at 50% duty cycle (30s maximum) with a tungsten target to obtain high quality and high precision analyses for bone density and total body DXA scans.
 
Positron Emission Tomography and Computerized TomographyThe Philips Vereos Time-of-Flight PET/CT instrument utilizes digital photon counting technology that provides ~310 ps TOF resolution and high count-rate capability. The CT component is a 64-slice, diagnostic-quality system that uses advanced dose management technology, iDose, to reduce radiation exposure, while providing quality images. This scanner is operated by two full-time certified nuclear medicine technologists and located in a customized facility with hot lab and adjacent uptake room to allow for optimal workflow for research PET studies.
 
UltrasonographyThe Philips Epiq 7G mobile ultrasound device features an xMatrix transducer that provides 2D, 3D/4D, real-time xPlane, real-time MPR, MPR, Doppler, Color Doppler and CPA imaging. The PureWave and nSIGHT transducer technology allows for precise resolution for every pixel. With the MaxVue high-definition display offers 1,179,648 additional image pixels, which provides 38% more viewing area to optimize the display of dual, side/side, biplane, and scrolling imaging modes. This unit offers a multimodal analysis package including: Vascular, Adult Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology, OB, Fetal Echo, TCD, Abdominal, Breast, Musculoskeletal, Urology, MicroFlow Imaging, Doppler, Panoramic 2D, 3D Color, Real Time 3D, 4D imaging, and stress protocols.

 

New for 2024 - 4D Medical's X-ray Velocimetry

The XV Scanner by 4-D Medical Imaging offers functional lung scanning designed to capture a single, full breath cycle in motion, from four different x-ray angles simultaneously. It offers quantification of regional airway function using novel dynamic quantitative image analysis to visualize lung motion and regional pulmonary airflow in four dimensions (4D). When combined with XV LVAS software, it generates color-coded lung airflow images, offering both qualitative and quantitative metrics mapping regional areas affected by disease.

Information can be found here