Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Medical Doctor (MD)

Department

Medicine

First Advisor

Kevin Sheth

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has evolved rapidly since its early days of imaging vials of water and mice when it was known as “zeugmatography”. As advancements in semiconductors increase computational power and algorithmic techniques stretch what we can do with this power, MRI capability is advancing beyond the conventional restraints of room-bound scanners. Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (LF-MRI) that utilizes magnets typically 1/10th the size of traditional magnets has opened the door to mobilizing this imaging modality and increased flexibility in scanner design. With these developments, a new generation of portable MRI (pMRI) is beginning its use in the hospital setting. This thesis seeks to evaluate and describe data collected from 866 pMRI scans completed at Yale New Haven Hospital from 2018 to 2024 for information related to safety, location of scan, and patient comfort. Of the 866 in-hospital pMRI scans, 766 were successfully completed (88.1%). Of the 103 incomplete pMRI scans, 63 were halted due to discomfort or claustrophobia (7.2%)—a rate much smaller than reported averages for conventional MRI. Given these results, pMRI has a promising future as an image modality for patients unable to tolerate full-body or conventional MRIs. Additionally, this thesis will explore how pMRI scanners may be uniquely suited and potentially adapted to mobile platforms such as ambulance vans, all-terrain vehicles, and aerospace applications due to size, weight, and maneuverability. As the image quality and resolution improves rapidly, pMRI has the potential to reliably fill niche roles both in hospital settings such as emergency department rooms and out in the community on motor vehicles.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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