Accessible MRI

Informazioni relative al progetto

AMRI

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 101189123

DOI

10.3030/101189123

Data della firma CE 20 Novembre 2024

Data di avvio 1 Dicembre 2024

Data di completamento 30 Novembre 2026

Finanziato da

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Costo totale

Nessun dato

Contributo UE

€ 2 499 999,00

Coordinato da

CHIPIRON
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AMRI (Accessible MRI)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-12-01 al 2025-11-30

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a vital diagnostic tool, yet it remains inaccessible to a large majority of the global population due to high costs and heavy infrastructure requirements. Standard MRI scanners are massive, energy-intensive, and require specialized shielded rooms, creating significant bottlenecks even in developed healthcare systems.

The AMRI (Accessible MRI) project aims to democratize medical imaging by developing a breakthrough Ultra-Low-Field (ULF) MRI system. Our objective is to validate and commercialize a lightweight, plug-and-play scanner that can be installed in standard clinical settings without the constraints of traditional high-field machines. By enabling safe, comfortable, and affordable MRI at the point of care, AMRI seeks to facilitate earlier detection of pathologies and improve health equity across Europe, making advanced diagnostics available to underserved populations.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

During the first reporting period, the project focused on translating our proprietary technology into a functional integrated system. Key achievements include:

1.System Integration: We successfully assembled a complete prototype scanner that validates our unique hardware architecture. This platform allows for imaging without heavy magnetic shielding infrastructure.

2.Technological Validation: Significant progress was made in developing a highly sensitive detection chain capable of operating at ultra-low magnetic fields. We demonstrated the stability and performance of these core components in a laboratory environment.

3.Proof of Concept: The project achieved a major milestone by acquiring the first biological images with our prototype. These initial tests confirmed the system's ability to capture anatomical structures, validating the viability of our approach.

4.Clinical & Ethical Definition: We refined the clinical roadmap to focus on high-impact applications where accessibility is critical, while appointing an internal Ethics Advisor to ensure the highest standards of data protection and safety for future steps.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

The AMRI project is advancing the state of the art by proving that diagnostic imaging is achievable at magnetic fields orders of magnitude lower than current standards, unlocking new possibilities for healthcare:

- Radical Accessibility: Unlike conventional scanners that require complex facility renovations, our system is designed to be deployed in standard medical rooms, bringing diagnostics closer to the patient.

- Sustainability: The technology represents a shift towards "green radiology" by significantly reducing power consumption and eliminating the reliance on scarce resources often used in traditional MRI cooling systems.

- Patient-Centric Design: The system features an open and quiet architecture, offering a much more comfortable experience for patients who may be anxious, claustrophobic, or sensitive to the loud noise of standard MRI machines.