コンパクトNMR/MRI研究開発 株式会社エム･アール･テクノロジー MRTechnology, Inc

本日は、リウマチ用MRIを食品用MRIとして使用し、お寿司のMRIを実施してみました。食材は、近所のカスミで購入した￥500円のお寿司セットのうち、マグロ赤身（右;Maguro）、いくらの軍艦巻き（中央;Salmon roe）、そしてリファレンスのための￥１００円のお赤飯のおにぎり（左; red-rice ball）です。
静磁場強度0.3Teslaの装置で、撮像シークエンスは3D-GradientEcho、撮像時間約11min、マトリクス512x256x64、TR/TE=40/6ms、空間分解能0.4ｘ0.4ｘ0.8mmです。示している画像は、ネタののっている上側のスライスと、中心付近のスライス。
おにぎりの画像内部で、上下の画像を比較してみますと、米の密度ムラがあるのがわかります。また小豆がところどころに点在しているのも見えます。いっぽうで、軍艦巻きと握りのシャリの密度の差も多少ありそうな感じにも見えますし、イクラとマグロそのものも画像になっています。そのうち画像から味がわかるような未来は来るのでしょうか。おコメの粒の向きの統計解析、なんかが可能になると面白いかもしれません；どうやって画像認識させて数を数えるのでしょうね。。。ということで撮像オペレーションの半田さん大変ありがとうございました。
以上。

0.3T compact MR scanner for rheumatoid arthritis

Dear Scientists,
We have prepared the first flyer for the 10th ICMRM that will be hosted by Montana State University and the local organising committee in 2009 in West Yellowstone.
Sincerely,
Tomoyuki HAISHI, President&CEO.

Compact MRI
NMR imaging (MRI) uses nuclear magnetic resonance to measure the structure and other properties of materials. MRI is not limited to medical applications and has much potential in the natural sciences, manufacturing, agriculture, and even fishery. However, the large size and high cost of MRI instruments has limited proliferation into these fields where the technology generally has not been applied.
We at MRTechnology have combined a portable MRI console, made possible by advances in digital electronics, with an extremely compact permanent magnet to create the world’s smallest magnetic resonance microscope, the MRmicro (*Min. static magnetic field strength of 1T, field of view of 20 mm dsv). As a result, this high-resolution MR microscope is within reach of small laboratories and other facilities where MRI has not been an option in the past.
Mouse cine MRI （2Tesla, Gd-DTPA injected）

1T-Mouse/RAT-MRI（900kg）

1.5Tesla Mouse-brain images（6.8min, MnCl2 injected）


Foot photo (Animation)
GALLERY is here

Apl 14/
Small MRI for rheumatoido appeared on Nikkei newspaper.
Photo
MRI has obvious potential in the food processing industry, both for research and inspection, such as screening for bruised fruit.
Tangerine:

Apple:

( Imaged at 0.2T )

One example; 1.5-Tesla mouse/rat MRI

Small Footprint
The portable MRI unit and revolutionary structure of the Halbach permanent magnet*1 resulted in the world’s smallest*2 MR microscope. Stray field is minimal, eliminating the need for a magnetic shield.
High Resolution
Performance has not been sacrificed for low cost. The combination of a sophisticated switching power source and thin magnetic field gradient coil achieve high spatial resolution at low cost. This is MRTechnology’s solution.
Cost Performance
Cost has been minimized by taking advantage of the latest digital electronics, the core of which is a digitala signal processor (DSP). This cost performance makes the MR microscope an affordable option to the otherwise exclusive world of MRI.
Maintenane Free
Refilling the low-temperature coolant is no longer necessary thanks to the use of a permanent magnet for the static magnetic field. Low running cost is yet another significant advantage to MRTechnology’s products.
Non-Invasive Measurement
MRI does not destroy the subject being measured, allowing acquisition of 2D and 3D data without damaging valuable samples. Windows is the platform for all software used for measurement and analysis.
Expandability
The system can be customized for the object to be imaged. Development of new pulse sequences is also possible for additional applications.
*1 Neomax Co. Ltd.
*2 Among MRmicroscopes with minimum static magnetic strength of 1T and minimum sield of view of 20 mm.
Followings are old products; please ask us about the latests（from 0.2T to 2Tesla）
MRmicro10
1.0T compact MRM
Magnetic field strength : 1.0 T
Air gap
: 60mm(medium )
: 90 mm(large)
Field of view : 30mm (10ppm)
Weght
: 210kg (463 lb.) (medium)
: 980kg (2160 lb.)(large)


MRmicro2
0.2T compact MRM
Magnetic field strength : 0.2T
Air gap : 250mm
Field of view :150mm (50ppm)
Weight : 1400 kg (3086 lb.)
Magnet (prototype) for diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis
Height: Approx. 70 cm.
Weight : 500 kg

Corporate Name MRTechnology, Inc.
Founded 1998 ( Incorporated in 1999)
Principal Office 169-1 Kouya Tsukuba-city Ibaraki, 300-2642 JAPAN
Common Stock 15 million yen
History
1997 Nov.
Add-on type MRmicroscope was developped by Tsukuba Univ.
1998 Oct.
MRTechnology was founded by Dr. Tomoyuki Haishi.
1999 Apl.
MRTecnology,Inc. established (Common Stock , 10 million yen)
2002 Sep.
Increase capital to 15 mmillion yen

For information about MRTechnology, please send an email to the following address;
Email;info(a)mrtechnology.co.jp
*Plaese replace (a) to @.
*If you do not receive any response within one week, please contact to us via Phone/FAX.
Tomoyuki HAISHI, President&CEO
MRTechnology, Inc.
2-1-6-B5 Sengen, Tsukuba-city, Ibaraki, 305-0047 JAPAN
TEL:+81-29-859-5075
FAX:+81-3-6203-8222