The main objectives of this Core Facility are:
To provide services related to medical imaging techniques for researchers from IDIBAPS and other institutions, and to industries connected with health.
To perform first-rate basic and clinical research into medical imaging using structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, molecular imaging, other types of medical imaging and image processing.
Our goal is also to train the researchers in imaging techniques to enable them to conduct experimental and clinical studies, thereby allowing them to explore the advantages of translational research.
Services and technologies:
Clinical Imaging Research (3T MRI Unit):
- Scientific and technical advice on:
- Experimental design
- Acquisition MRI protocols
-Image processing and analysis
• Optimization of acquisition protocols
• Pilot study of feasibility
• Acquisition of MRI with different techniques:
-NEURO
- High resolution volumetric studies.
- Relaxometry (T1, T2) techniques
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging
- BOLD fMRI
- Arterial Spin Labeling
- Perfusion imaging with gadolinium
- Body and brain 1H spectrometry
- SWI.
- TOF and contrast angiography.
-CARDIO:
- Advance cardio studies.
- Perfusion techniques
- MR coronariography
- Flow studies
- DTI
-BODY:
- Body diffusion
- MR colonography
- MR enterography
- Body and extremities angiography
- Plaque characterization.
Experimental Imaging Research (7T MRI Unit):
- Scientific and technical advice on:
- Biological aspects of experimental design
- Acquisition MRI protocols
- Image processing and analysis
- Advice on the experimental design for the final project
- Optimization of acquisition protocols
- Pilot study of feasibility
-Acquisition of MRI with different techniques:
- Anatomical Imaging
- Relaxometry (T1, T2) techniques
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging
- TOF angiography
- BOLD fMRI
- by electrical stimulation of the forepaw
- by i.v. administration of the drug
- Manganese enhanced MRI (MEMRI)
- Perfusion imaging with gadolinium
- Body and brain 1H spectrometry
- Housing and maintenance of animals during the study
- Handling of the animals (anesthetize and monitoring animal during the examination)
- Equipment and supplies for small surgery (examples: intra-arterial cannula, intravenous, stereotactic injection, etc.)
- Conversion and transfer of acquired data.
Image Processing Lab
- Advice and teaching in biomedicine image anlalysis.
- Statistical analysis of morphometric images ( Voxel Based Morphometry) or parametric images ( FA maps, Nuclear medicine).
- Functional fMRI data analysis.
- H+ spectroscopy analysis.
Equipment:
Clinical Imaging Research (3T MRI Unit):
- RM 3T- Siemens 3T TRIO, B17 software
- 32 phased-array head coil
- 8 phased-array head coil
- Body coil,
- Others phase array coil
Experimental Imaging Research (7T MRI Unit):
- Bruker BioSpec 70/30 (gradient system of 400 mT/m)
- Imaging volume coils for mice, rat and small cats or rabbits
- Surface coil for rat and mouse brain imaging
- Surface coil for rat heart imaging (with CINE acquisition sequence)
- Volume coils for 1H/13C, 1H/31P and 1H/19F spectroscopy
- Surface coil for 1H/13C spectroscopy
- Electric stimulator for fMRI
- Inhalation anaesthetic system including animal monitoring
- 4 PC for image processing and analysis
Image Processing Lab
- 3 dedicated workstations (1 Mac, 2 linux) and 7 high performance
- PC (5 dual windows-linux, 2 windows) for image post-processing
- 10 standard PC
- Software licenses: 10 Matlab, 2 LcModel, 1 AnalyzeDirect
- Nuria Bargalló
Coordinator of Medical Imaging core facility and the 3T MRI Unit
- Guadalupe Soria
Coordinator of the 7T MRI Unit
- Anna Calvo
Physicist on Image postprocessing analysis.
Contact the Coordinator of the MICF by email or phone (found at our website http://www.idibaps.org/plataformes/4/imatge-medica). Most of the times a meeting is organised to explain the objectives of the project and think about the first and easier approach to reach those objectives.
a) If the researcher has previous experience: The researcher fills in the “Project Registration form” describing the type of image modality he/she would like to use, description of the samples that would be used and desired image sequences. The Coordinator will review the information and give some recommendations if needed.
b) If the researcher needs advice because has no previous experience, the coordinator will contact the researcher in order to help him/her in designing the project. The aspects considered are mainly the imaging methodology or sequences that will be used and the number of samples that will be acquired.
c) The coordinators of each unit will help the external researcher in order to obtain the permission of the local clinical or animal Ethics committee.
d) The coordinator will prepare a budget estimation of all the services required.