CMRR Resources

The CMRR is installing a new 7T Terra starting in 2020.

Commensurate with the increased role played by 7 T systems in biomedical research both in the brain and in the body, a second 7T system was established in 2011 and is currently operational, supporting core research, as well as collaborative and service projects. 

High field MR imaging and spectroscopy started when three academic laboratories in the US installed 4 Tesla human systems. One of those was CMRR. Of these systems, this 4T is the only one that has survived and is currently used heavily for spectroscopy and imaging studies in humans. Because of its open programming environment (Varian, now acquired by Agilent), it is also the system used for development and application of unusual and novel imaging sequences.

This is standard 3T, identical to those used in hospitals for clinical diagnosis. It is dedicated to research use and serves a large community of investigators, mainly for brain research that includes cognitive neurosciences, psychiatric diseases, child development etc. It is heavily used as a service instrument and the two 3T instruments together support more than sixty projects currently.

The 3T-B system was acquired in 2012 and upgraded to a Siemens Prisma in March 2014. This is a state-of-the-art, FDA-approved scanner with advanced imaging capabilities, including 128 receive channels. The Prisma scanner serves the basic and translational MRI imaging needs for researchers across the University, as well as business partners from the Twin Cities medical device industry.

The 3T-C system was acquired in 2016. This is an FDA-approved scanner and currently serves the MRI imaging needs for the ABCD project and HCP Aging, Development, Psychosis and Baby projects.

Funded by NCRR High End Instrumentation grant and University of Minnesota, this system is under development. Magnet installation was completed in 2014. It will be the highest field whole body MRI system in the world and will be used to for both brain studies and for the human torso. Understanding of electromagnetic wave behavior in the body at such frequencies and multichannel transmit technology developed in this BTRC will enable the exploration of such high magnetic fields in biomedical research for the first time.

This is a dedicated MRI system for animal model studies and is the workhorse for such experiments in this BTRC. It was the first such high field magnet with a horizontal bore suitable for animal model studies; as such, it pioneered the most commonly employed animal MRI/MRS system currently. The work conducted on this system justified the development of high field scanners, namely the 7T scanner, for human research. 

This recent addition to CMRR is the highest field available in the United states for animal model studies and the only one of its kind.

The Siemens Biograph mCt PET/CT scanner is the most advanced scanner in the state of Minnesota. With an onsite Cyclotron from PetNet, CCIR can deliver the most advance imaging techniques and studies available.

The CMRR facility houses a Siemens Eclipse HP shielded cyclotron which is owned and operated by PETNET Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. This 4,051 sq. ft. facility is PETNET's Twin Cities manufacturing site of medical radioisotopes for University of Minnesota researchers and local hospitals and clinics.

The magnet design incorporates a very strong field gradient (~ 100 T/m) near the top of the magnet which is necessary for magnetic levitation. Levitation occurs when the magnetic force counterbalances the gravitational force and thus simulates orbital freefall. This instrument will provide a unique environment to process organic and inorganic materials and investigate biological materials, living and non-living, in a simulated microgravity environment.

The CMRR has a fully-equipped seminar room available for hosting workshops and events.

Support rooms are conveniently located in facility for consenting subjects, performing testing procedures and changing into gowns, as well as performing medical procedures, such as starting IV’s, monitoring vitals and administering medical testing.

MR Technologists are available to run 3T/7T scanners, assist with data collection, maintain equipment and troubleshoot scanner issues.