1.5T MRI

The Imaging Research Centre for Cardiovascular Intervention (IRCCI) MRI facility includes a GE Optima MR450w 1.5T MRI system with GEM Suite primarily used for cardiovascular research.

The IRCCI MRI system at Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) is a unique, national, state-of-the-art resource for evaluation of structure and function within the human body and animal models. Research at this facility involves development of the basic physics and engineering underlying MRI technology, and includes clinical imaging studies involving volunteer participants and preclinical studies that enhance knowledge toward improving health care. The facility accommodates a wide variety of scientific projects, mostly conducted by researchers in SRI’s Physical Sciences platform and their collaborators. It operates on a cost-recovery basis through the collection of user fees.

Studies at IRCCI fall into three general categories: cohort, preclinical or technical. Cohort studies involve experiments using approved MRI protocols to image groups of people who are either volunteers or patients (at Sunnybrook or elsewhere). These studies are typically supported through specific, peer-reviewed grants awarded to principal investigators who have applied to the IRCCI MR Oversight Committee for access to system. Technical studies involve experiments for MRI hardware, software and protocol development.

Each category has its own scheduling code and rate. Users must meet the MR research operator training requirements.

The IRCCI was established with investment from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation. It is a core facility within the Centre for Research in Image-Guided Therapeutics.