Clinical MRI Facilities

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging Facility (MRIF) administers the clinical research studies that are conducted across the three geogrpahic sites in Manchester. The 2 x 1.5T and 3 T scanners are based on the three main NHS trust hospital sites engaging in imaging research and provide access to the following facilities and equipment:

3T Scanner at the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (formerly Hope Hospital)

3T MR system for general research
Visual and auditory stimulus presentation kit
64 channel MR compatible EEG system
MR compatible eye tracking equipment
Capability for filtering peripheral equipment
Rear and front projection for stimulus presentation
Response boxes
Stimulus triggering via scanner

1.5T Philips MR system at the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), based on the Chrsitie NHS Foundation Trust hospital site

1.5T MR system for general research
Power injector
Piped gases
Physiological monitoring equipment
Structural MRI; Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA); Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS); Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI); Pharmacological MRI (pMRI); Diffusion and Perfusion MRI; and Arterial Spin Labelling (ASL).

1.5T Scanner at the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility (WTCRF), based on the Central Manchester & Manchester Childrens University NHS Foundation Trust hospital site

1.5T MR system for general research
Cardiac MR package
Adult and paediatric oximetry equipment
Front projection for visual stimulus presentation
HDI 5000 Philips general Ultrasound system appropriate for Cardiac echo, Vascular and Obstetric imaging. The facility also has access to specific cardiac and obstetric ultrasound systems on request
Access to bone densitometry, x-ray, CT, and DXA scanning facilities
Four chamber wire myrograph
Microscan and the Finapress-Pro system to obtain accurate images of microcirculation
Optical Coherence Tomography Equipment
Access to other clinical facilities (nursing support, human performance, core laboratory, meeting facilities, off-line testing facilities)

Cognitive Brain Imaging (CBI) Laboratory

MRIF also manages the CBI laboratory, which is located on the main University campus. The laboratory focuses on functional and structural imaging as applied to cognition. The following equipment is available:

Mock MR Scanner
Eye tracking equipment
Visual and auditory presentation system
Experimental design expertise

Experimental design expertise is also available for those who need some advice in this area.