Since last year, our research group has had access to both a conventional 3 Tesla MRI scanner and an ultra-high 7 Tesla MRI scanner. In cooperation with Hyperfine, we are now also able to perform ultra-low imaging with a magnetic field strength of only 0.064 Tesla, offering yet another perspective on brain imaging. The Hyperfine Swoop System is a portable magnetic resonance brain imaging system that does not require the same siting and shielding as conventional MRI systems. Its portability enables timely brain imaging, as the patients do not need to be transported to larger, shielded MRI facilities; instead, they can be positioned in the scanner quickly and with minimal effort.
In May 2024, we were able to use the Hyperfine Scanner, generously lent by Professor Dr. Hemmen Sabir from the Department of Neonatology, for brain imaging in epilepsy patients. This exciting project allowed us to experience the advantages of such a compact scanner, enabling us to scan epilepsy patients directly after they experienced seizures. For epilepsy diagnostic, the ultra-low imaging provides a valuable new tool to detect brain lesions which might be causing seizures, as it generates brain images almost immediately following seizure events.
Through a big team effort, including overnight stays at the epilepsy care unit, we successfully collected brain images during both interictal and postictal periods. We are currently working on comparing those images, analyzing the differences, and further evaluating the quality of images generated by the scanner.
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