Equipment

Core

NUBIC has a Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma 3T whole-body human MRI scanner.

It has a 60cm bore size, with a state-of-the-art gradient system that can achieve a maximum gradient amplitude of 80mT/m at a slew rate of 200T/m/s.

Included with the MRI are multiple coils including:

  • 20- and 64-channel head/neck coils
  • 32-channel spine coil
  • 18-channel body coil
  • 16-channel shoulder coil
  • 16-channel hand/wrist coil
  • 16-channel foot/ankle coil
  • 15-channel transmit/receive knee coil
  • 4-channel Flex coil

Additionally, NUBIC provides access to a single-channel dual-tuned phosphorus / proton (31P/1H) receive coil from Rapid MR International. 

MRI Simulator from Psychology Software Tools

For children or other challenging populations to become comfortable with the scanner procedure, and to practice lying still during task performance, which includes:

  • A mock head coil and a mirror to view the video stimulus via an LCD screen mounted on the wall at the back of the magnet bore
  • Amplified speakers and subwoofer for realistic scanner noise production and vibration of the MRI environment and cooling fans and diffused lighting for participant safety and comfort
  • A head motion tracking system that provides feedback of linear and rotational movement and can be used to train subjects
  • A presentation computer and response button system identically setup to the one in the scanner room to test the fMRI paradigm before the actual scan

Peripheral Equipment

  • BrainAmp MR Series Amplifiers
  • SyncBox
  • Real-time gradient and pulse artifact correction software
  • MR-Safe Electrode caps

  • MURFI (Multivariate and Univariate Real-time Functional Imaging)
    • takes data from a functional imager
    • various analyses to estimate current brain state
    • communicates results to a separate computer for display or modification of a stimulus paradigm
    • experiment setup and operation controlled through GUI or on the command line

  • BOLD screen 32 LCD – Cambridge Research Systems
  • VisualSystem goggles – NordicNeuro Lab
  • Christie LCD/projector for a back-projection system

           

  • BOLD fonic audio system – Cambridge Research Systems
    • Stereo amplifier
    • Standard headphones
    • Smaller headphones without a headband
    • In-ear earphones
    • MRI-safe microphone mounted on the head coil
    • AudioFile sound processor for synchronous auditory stimuli

         

  • FORP response button system – Current Designs
    • FORP Interface Unit 932
    • 4-Button Diamond Fiber Optic Response Pad

     

  • MediGlasses – Cambridge Research Systems
  • MRI Vision Correction Lenses – Psychology Software Tools

        

  • Expression MR200 – Philips/InVivo
    • Wireless respiratory measurement with bellows
    • Wireless ECG
    • Wireless SpO2
    • NIBP cuffs
    • CO2 and respiratory capnography with nasal cannula

             

 

  • Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma Physiological monitors
    • Wireless respiratory measurement with bellows
    • Wireless ECG
    • Wireless SpO2

 

  • BIOPAC Systems
    • EDA (EDA100C-MRI)
    • ECG (ECG100C-MRI)
    • Respiration (RSP100C)
    • ICG (NICO100C-MRI)
    • Stimulator Module (STM100C)
    • Ability to synchronize data acquisition with stimulus presentation in Matlab and E-Prime
  • LiveTrack AV for fMRI – Cambridge Research Systems