India’s First Indigenously Developed MRI Scanner

Source: ET

Context: AIIMS New Delhi is set to install India’s first indigenously developed MRI scanner for clinical evaluation.

• The initiative aims to reduce dependency on imported medical devices and promote ‘Make in India’ innovation.

About India’s first indigenously developed MRI scanner:

• What it is:

• The first fully indigenously developed 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner designed for advanced medical imaging and clinical trials.

• Developed by:

• Developed by SAMEER (Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research), an autonomous R&D body under Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).

• To be installed in:

• Planned installation at AIIMS New Delhi by October 2025 for clinical evaluation and feedback.

• Project under:

• Developed under the national mission SCAN-ERA (Swadeshi Chumbakiya Anu-naad Chitran – Ek Rashtriya Abhiyaan), started in December 2014.

• Key Features:

• Indigenous technology aimed at reducing treatment costs. 1.5 Tesla MRI system designed to match global clinical standards. Backed by government’s PLI scheme for medical devices. Complements development of other critical devices like CT scanners, LINACs, and heart valves under PLI.

• Indigenous technology aimed at reducing treatment costs.

• 1.5 Tesla MRI system designed to match global clinical standards.

• Backed by government’s PLI scheme for medical devices.

• Complements development of other critical devices like CT scanners, LINACs, and heart valves under PLI.

About MRI Scanner Working:

• Scientific principle behind working:

• MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to align and excite protons in body tissues. As protons realign with the magnetic field, they release energy, which sensors capture to create 3D anatomical images.

• MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to align and excite protons in body tissues.

• As protons realign with the magnetic field, they release energy, which sensors capture to create 3D anatomical images.

• Used for:

• Imaging of soft tissues, brain, spinal cord, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Detecting tumors, aneurysms, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal injuries. Functional MRI (fMRI) tracks brain activity during cognitive tasks.

• Imaging of soft tissues, brain, spinal cord, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

• Detecting tumors, aneurysms, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal injuries.

• Functional MRI (fMRI) tracks brain activity during cognitive tasks.

• Risks associated:

• Magnetic interference: Dangerous for patients with implants like pacemakers or cochlear devices. Noise discomfort: Loud clicking sounds may cause discomfort; ear protection is recommended. Claustrophobia: Patients may face anxiety inside closed MRI tunnels; open MRI systems address this issue. Contrast agents: Risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in dialysis patients from gadolinium-based agents.

• Magnetic interference: Dangerous for patients with implants like pacemakers or cochlear devices.

• Noise discomfort: Loud clicking sounds may cause discomfort; ear protection is recommended.

• Claustrophobia: Patients may face anxiety inside closed MRI tunnels; open MRI systems address this issue.

• Contrast agents: Risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in dialysis patients from gadolinium-based agents.