Dr. Shannon Kolind is a rising star in medical physics at UBC and an expert on a technology referred to as low field, portable MRI. If you’ve ever had an MRI before this term might sound like a misnomer. These MRI scanners use a very low magnetic field – almost 25 times weaker than the magnets in clinical MRI scanners, basically only slightly stronger than a fridge magnet – and are roughly 1/5th of the cost. Thanks to advances in magnetic coil technology and imaging algorithms, they’re small enough to fit through a doorway and use less power than a cappuccino maker. They are also easy-to-use and can be operated by non-experts; in other words, no highly trained MRI technologist on hand? No problem – specialized training is not required to operate the scanner.
And as Dr. Kolind explains, low field MRI scanners are still able to produce excellent, clinically useful images. The accessibility of this technology – both throughout a hospital and in remote areas – is potentially game-changing for a healthcare system needing to cut costs while also boosting quality of care and saving lives.
