7T MRI Scanner Doubles Static Magnetic Field Strength

The Siemens Healthineers (Erlangen, Germany) Magnetom Terra MRI scanner is an advanced ultra-high-field scanner for neurological and musculoskeletal (MSK) applications in the head and extremities, which has the potential to reveal functional and anatomical details not visible in devices with lower magnet field strengths. A unique “Dual Mode” feature permits the user to switch between an investigational research mode and a clinical Mode for imaging, keeping research data and clinical images safe on separate databases, respectively.

The Magnetom Terra features a new magnet that is 50% lighter than any 7T magnet to date, and can be shipped cold via airfreight and integrated more easily into clinical environments, even on upper floors. In addition, a Zero Helium boil-off feature reduces evaporation in both standby and operational modes. Up to 64 receive channels and 80/200 gradients provide high levels of power, to not only perform diffusion MRI and functional MRI (fMRI), but also utilize the simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) application to accelerate advanced neurological applications for clinical routine.

An ultrafine 0.2 mm in-plane anatomical resolution potentially enables visualization of previously unseen anatomical structures. For example, cerebral cortex imaging at 0.2mm in-plane resolution may yield never-before-visible clinical details in cortical structure. The scanner’s submillimeter blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) fMRI contrast increases linearly with field strength; in clinical use, this could translate to higher resolution in neuroimaging, as compared to 3T applications.

“With the Magnetom Terra 7T scanner, Siemens Healthineers proudly introduces the first MRI field strength above 3T to be cleared for clinical imaging in nearly 20 years,” said Christoph Zindel, MD, senior vice president and head of MRI at Siemens Healthineers. “Armed with the Magnetom Terra’s ultra-high-field strength, clinicians may be able to achieve new, unforeseen levels of patient care and clinical advancements through improved visualization of a wide variety of neurological disease states.”

The MAGNETOM Terra leverages the Siemens Healthineers syngo MR E11 software platform, enabling users to work in the same manner as they would 1.5T and 3T technology. The systems measurement and reconstruction system (MaRS) computer offers hyperfast image reconstruction technology at speeds up to 20 times faster than previous generations of 7T research scanners.