Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NextMRI (Truly portable MRI for extremity and brain imaging anywhere & everywhere)
Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2024-09-30
Context and Overall Objectives
The NextMRI project addresses the need for portable, low-cost MRI solutions, especially for settings where traditional MRI systems are impractical due to size, cost, and infrastructure demands. Collaborating with partners such as CSIC, PHYSMRI, and IISLAFE, the project aims to extend MRI access to remote, rural, and non-clinical environments. The project focuses on developing a low-field portable MRI scanner for extremity and brain imaging, making MRI accessible to a broader population.
Background
MRI is the gold standard for diagnosing neurological and musculoskeletal conditions but remains largely inaccessible outside major medical facilities. NextMRI is built upon advancements in the Histo-MRI and PR Scanner projects, which demonstrated the first-ever portable MRI imaging of a patient’s knee in outdoor and home settings. Notably, the scanner was also deployed during the 2022 Motorcycle Grand Prix in Valencia, where it successfully identified previously undetected conditions.
Project Goals
NextMRI’s goals include:
1. Expanding MRI technology to extremity and brain imaging.
2. Enhancing diagnostic capabilities through machine learning.
3. Improving system portability and usability.
4. Optimizing production costs.
5. Conducting clinical trials to validate performance.
6. Developing a sustainable commercialization model.
State of the Art
The NextMRI scanner offers significant improvements over traditional MRI systems, achieving adequate tissue contrast and spatial resolution for various diagnoses. The prototype has proven its effectiveness in clinical and non-clinical settings, including successful deployments in homes and outdoor environments. The scanner has been validated by professional radiologists at LA FE, who confirmed that its images provided enough detail to diagnose a range of conditions.
Methodology
The project follows three phases:
1. Prototype Design (2023-2025): Based on previous projects and stakeholder feedback.
2. Technical and Usability Validation (2025-2026): Lab and real-world testing.
3. Market Acceptance and Investor Engagement (2026): Developing the business plan for commercialization. A Human Factors Plan ensures that end-users are involved throughout product development, following MDR guidelines for CE marking.
Consortium
NextMRI's consortium includes CSIC (Spain), LUMC (Netherlands), IISLAFE (Spain), PHYSIOMRI (Spain), and Bergman Clinics (Germany), bringing together expertise in technical development, clinical validation, and business planning.
The NextMRI project addresses the need for portable, low-cost MRI solutions, especially for settings where traditional MRI systems are impractical due to size, cost, and infrastructure demands. Collaborating with partners such as CSIC, PHYSMRI, and IISLAFE, the project aims to extend MRI access to remote, rural, and non-clinical environments. The project focuses on developing a low-field portable MRI scanner for extremity and brain imaging, making MRI accessible to a broader population.
Background
MRI is the gold standard for diagnosing neurological and musculoskeletal conditions but remains largely inaccessible outside major medical facilities. NextMRI is built upon advancements in the Histo-MRI and PR Scanner projects, which demonstrated the first-ever portable MRI imaging of a patient’s knee in outdoor and home settings. Notably, the scanner was also deployed during the 2022 Motorcycle Grand Prix in Valencia, where it successfully identified previously undetected conditions.
Project Goals
NextMRI’s goals include:
1. Expanding MRI technology to extremity and brain imaging.
2. Enhancing diagnostic capabilities through machine learning.
3. Improving system portability and usability.
4. Optimizing production costs.
5. Conducting clinical trials to validate performance.
6. Developing a sustainable commercialization model.
State of the Art
The NextMRI scanner offers significant improvements over traditional MRI systems, achieving adequate tissue contrast and spatial resolution for various diagnoses. The prototype has proven its effectiveness in clinical and non-clinical settings, including successful deployments in homes and outdoor environments. The scanner has been validated by professional radiologists at LA FE, who confirmed that its images provided enough detail to diagnose a range of conditions.
Methodology
The project follows three phases:
1. Prototype Design (2023-2025): Based on previous projects and stakeholder feedback.
2. Technical and Usability Validation (2025-2026): Lab and real-world testing.
3. Market Acceptance and Investor Engagement (2026): Developing the business plan for commercialization. A Human Factors Plan ensures that end-users are involved throughout product development, following MDR guidelines for CE marking.
Consortium
NextMRI's consortium includes CSIC (Spain), LUMC (Netherlands), IISLAFE (Spain), PHYSIOMRI (Spain), and Bergman Clinics (Germany), bringing together expertise in technical development, clinical validation, and business planning.
During this period, NextMRI has made significant progress toward developing its portable MRI scanner. A key milestone was the completion of the first prototype, featuring an innovative elliptical Halbach magnet with a 90 mT field strength and homogeneity of 5,700 ppm. This allows for high-quality imaging in a portable format (216 kg), which can be used in diverse settings, including small clinics and home care.
Electronics advancements include a high-power RF amplifier (over 1 kW) and optimized gradient amplifiers, ensuring efficient operation in both laboratory and outdoor environments. On the software side, a robust control system (MaRCoS) has been developed, incorporating advanced image reconstruction techniques. Machine learning algorithms for image post-processing are being developed and will further improve image quality and reduce noise.
Initial validation by radiologists has confirmed that the scanner can diagnose musculoskeletal conditions in real-world environments, such as outdoor settings and patient homes. Furthermore, the Data Management Plan (DMP) ensures ethical data management aligned with FAIR principles, laying the groundwork for future commercialization.
Electronics advancements include a high-power RF amplifier (over 1 kW) and optimized gradient amplifiers, ensuring efficient operation in both laboratory and outdoor environments. On the software side, a robust control system (MaRCoS) has been developed, incorporating advanced image reconstruction techniques. Machine learning algorithms for image post-processing are being developed and will further improve image quality and reduce noise.
Initial validation by radiologists has confirmed that the scanner can diagnose musculoskeletal conditions in real-world environments, such as outdoor settings and patient homes. Furthermore, the Data Management Plan (DMP) ensures ethical data management aligned with FAIR principles, laying the groundwork for future commercialization.
NextMRI has made substantial advancements in MRI technology, addressing limitations in size, cost, and accessibility:
1. Elliptical Halbach Magnet Design: The magnet achieves 90 mT field strength with superior homogeneity (5,700 ppm). Its compact size allows for easy deployment in diverse settings, from clinics to homes.
2. Advanced Electronics: High-power RF and gradient amplifiers enhance performance while reducing production costs, ensuring accessibility for under-resourced regions.
3. Machine Learning Integration: The control system includes advanced reconstruction techniques, with ongoing developments in machine learning algorithms to improve image quality and speed.
Future Needs
• Further Research: Continued refinement of machine learning algorithms and optimization of the system’s portability.
• Demonstration: Real-world testing in various healthcare settings to validate performance.
• Regulatory Approvals: Gaining CE marking and FDA clearance will be essential for global market entry.
• Investment: Additional funding is needed to scale production and expand the scanner’s market reach.
1. Elliptical Halbach Magnet Design: The magnet achieves 90 mT field strength with superior homogeneity (5,700 ppm). Its compact size allows for easy deployment in diverse settings, from clinics to homes.
2. Advanced Electronics: High-power RF and gradient amplifiers enhance performance while reducing production costs, ensuring accessibility for under-resourced regions.
3. Machine Learning Integration: The control system includes advanced reconstruction techniques, with ongoing developments in machine learning algorithms to improve image quality and speed.
Future Needs
• Further Research: Continued refinement of machine learning algorithms and optimization of the system’s portability.
• Demonstration: Real-world testing in various healthcare settings to validate performance.
• Regulatory Approvals: Gaining CE marking and FDA clearance will be essential for global market entry.
• Investment: Additional funding is needed to scale production and expand the scanner’s market reach.