The Fonar 0.6 Tesla Indomitable™ positional MRI scanner was purchased with a Joint Research Equipment Initiative grant from the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and has been operational since August 2002.

It is located in a purpose-built facility at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen. This system, the first of its kind in Europe, allows patients to be imaged in the vertical as well as conventional horizontal position. It is the ultimate patient friendly MRI scanner, being very open and non-claustrophobic.

Studies are being undertaken looking at the changes in body mechanics between the standing and recumbent positions. It is also used to image the lumbar spine, hip, knee and ankle joints in both recumbent and weight bearing positions. For spine and joints it can also image in flexion and extension. There is also the potential for studying all organs under the normal effects of gravity, e.g. pelvic floor.

Enquiries into research opportunities using pMRI - contact f.w.smith@arh.grampian.scot.nhs.uk

If you want to do a research project involving MRI, we would be grateful if you could complete this proforma and return to the department.