A 0.5T open Paramed MRI scanner has recently been installed.
This scanner allows scanning both upright and supine. It is equipped with coils for imaging the extremities, body and head. It will provide us with an unparalleled opportunity to study the physiological process in a normal upright body position and specifically will allow us to study the effects of weight bearing.
In due course we plan to provide the capability to study hyperpolarized gases on this scanner.
We are working with Mechanical Engineering to produce supports to allow comfortable scanning in an upright position.