The open space in the middle of an MRI machine is referred to as the bore. The wide bore machine has a bore size of 70 centimetres in diameter which is 10 centimetres larger than that of the conventional closed bore MRI scanner.
A traditional MRI bore has a 23.6-inch, or 60-centimeter, bore. If you've never seen an MRI imager, visualize a donut. The machine features a bore, or a hole, where patients lie down inside so it can take images using a magnet.
Typical wide bore MRI scanners have a 70 centimeter bore opening and that extra 10 centimeters can make all the difference for many patients. Those who are claustrophobic often find that the wider bore is less stressful than the traditional, narrow bore.
Traditional MRI: A traditional MRI machine is a large tube, roughly 23.5 inches in diameter that a patient lays in. Wide Bore MRI: Essentially this is the same as the traditional MRI machine, but it is a little wider—roughly 27.5 inches. The wide bore is ideal for larger patients and those who are claustrophobic.
Ask your doctor for a sedative
Medication is often necessary if you're worried that claustrophobia could induce a panic attack during the MRI. If you know you'll need extra assistance with relaxation during an MRI, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a sedative to put you to sleep for your MRI scan.
The procedure typically will last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type of scan required by your physician. You just need to be as still as possible during the exam. In fact, some patients fall asleep during the MRI exam. A technologist will be able to see you at all times.
Sedation for diagnostic services conjures up images of pain and discomfort. MRI sedation is used during an MRI for patients who cannot remain still in the scanner due to problems such as anxiety, claustrophobia, or a condition that causes physical discomfort.
You will be in constant communication with the MRI technicians and you can stop the scan at any time. We have a fan in case you get warm, blankets in case you are cool and bolstering pillows to help you stay comfortable during a long scan.
Instead of an enclosed capsule, the open MRI uses a magnet top and bottom and is open on all four sides. These decrease the risk of claustrophobia and panic attacks exponentially and allows patients of all shapes and sizes to be able to make use of an MRI to accurately diagnose their problems.
The most accurate MRI system is the closed MRI scan. You lie in a tube-like, narrow space structure for the scan. Patients often report feelings of claustrophobia while being scanned in a traditional closed MRI. Being obese can make it almost impossible to undergo a closed scan.
The open, upright MRI machine is much better tolerated by patients who are claustrophobic. The scans can be performed with the patient sitting, lying down, or standing. People can watch television while the scans are performed. The unit is open in the front, back, and top.
A “Wide Bore” Open MRI is much more spacious
25 feet wide, providing more head room than a true open with plenty of space between the machine and your body even for larger patients.
For outpatients, radiology schedulers inquire about patients' weight at the time of scheduling. If the patient's weight exceeds 260 lbs, the patient is instructed to measure their body diameter to determine whether they will safely fit within the MRI bore.
They have an opening with a diameter around 50-60 centimeters (most typically around 60 cm). Most people describe the bore, which is the opening to the MRI machine, as an entrance into a long, narrow tunnel.
Obese patients cannot fit comfortably in a standard MRI scanner, which has an enclosed tube of only 60cm. Wide MRI scanners, often referred to as wide bore MRIs, have a slightly larger opening of 72cm on average, but still don't offer enough space for obese patients.
“Open” magnets have a magnetic field strength of 0.2 to 0.3 Tesla while high-field superconducting MRI scanners have a magnetic field strength of 1.0 to 3T (or Tesla-Tesla being a measure of the strength of the magnetic field).
Unlike the most commonly used traditional closed MRI scanners that require a patient to be scanned in a big thin, enclosed tunnel, the open Upright Open MRI, commonly called the Stand-Up MRI, lets the patient sit, bend, stand or even lay down for the scans.
For a knee MRI, you'll go in feet first, and only your lower body will be in the tube. Expect to hold still for around 15 to 45 minutes, sometimes longer, while the machine makes images of your knee.
Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the procedure. If you don't need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire (bras), belts or buckles.
Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.
Yes, the machine is loud and it doesn't let up. While inside the MRI machine, you can listen to music with headphones or you can just ask the technician for ear plugs to help drown out the noise.
Radiologists recommend fasting prior to undergoing a CT or MRI with contrast because of the possible side effects of the contrast agents. While rare, side effects of contrast can cause nausea or vomiting during the test. Vomiting while lying down could cause food blockages in your airway, known as asphyxia.
The MRI machine uses a combination of a strong magnet, radio transmitter and receiver. When the sequences are performed, electric current is sent through a coiled wire-an electromagnet. The switching of the currents causes the coils to expand making loud clicking sounds.
An MRI scan with contrast only occurs when your doctor orders and approves it. During the procedure, they'll inject the gadolinium-based dye into your arm intravenously. The contrast medium enhances the image quality and allows the radiologist more accuracy and confidence in their diagnosis.