New MRI system that can cost a tenth of the current ones

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an essential tool in modern medicine, used to obtain detailed images of the inside of the human body without the need for surgery. However, one of the biggest challenges of this technology has been its high cost, both in terms of acquisition and operation. This has limited its accessibility, especially in regions with limited resources.

A team from the University of Hong Kong has presented a significant breakthrough in this field: a simplified, low-power, full-body MRI device that promises to revolutionize medical imaging by reducing costs to a tenth of current systems.

The new MRI scanner developed by the Hong Kong team features several innovations that make it stand out:

. Compact Low Power Magnet: Unlike traditional MRI systems that use high power magnets (typically 1.5 to 3 Tesla), this new device uses a magnet of only 0.05 Tesla. This change dramatically reduces the size and cost of the equipment.

. Low Power Consumption: The new scanner can operate from a standard wall outlet, requiring only 1,800 watts during operation. In comparison, conventional MR scanners require specialized electrical installations and consume significantly more power (on the order of 25Kw).

. Artificial Intelligence to Improve Image Quality: Despite the lower magnet power, the system uses advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to process images and improve their clarity and detail. This allows the images produced to be comparable in quality to those obtained with high-powered scanners.

One of the main advantages of this new system is its significantly lower cost. Traditional MRI systems can cost many hundreds of thousands of dollars, making them inaccessible to many hospitals and clinics, especially in developing countries. And this new method advertises a cost of a few tens of thousands of dollars, which is a very important change.

Reducing the cost by a tenth could democratize access to MRI, allowing more health institutions, including those in remote or resource-limited regions, to acquire and operate this technology.

Just to have an idea, in 2016 in the USA there were 40 MRI machines for every million inhabitants, while in Africa there were 84 machines to serve 370 million people.

In addition, the compact design and low power consumption of the new scanner allow greater flexibility in its use. This system can be installed in locations that do not have the specialized electrical infrastructure necessary for traditional MR systems.

And the ability to operate from a standard electrical outlet makes it easy to use in mobile settings, such as mobile health units that can bring MRI services to rural areas and underserved communities.

The use of artificial intelligence is a crucial component in the new system. AI algorithms can compensate for lower magnet power by improving image quality through advanced processing techniques.

These techniques include image reconstruction, noise reduction, and resolution enhancement. AI can also assist in image interpretation, providing support to radiologists and improving diagnostic accuracy.

Additionally, AI can optimize the scanning process, reducing the time needed to obtain images and therefore increasing the efficiency of the scanner. In preliminary tests carried out with 30 volunteer patients, images were obtained in 8 minutes, instead of more than 30 minutes with current systems.

This is especially important in high-demand environments, where the ability to perform more scans in less time can have a significant impact on patient care.

This system is still in experimentation and prototyping, and has a long way to go before reaching the market as a finished product, but it has the potential to transform healthcare around the world, especially in resource-limited regions.

I hope we see it as soon as posible