A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner with the potential to revolutionise MRI for both clinical and research purposes is now in use at the SAHMRI-based Jones Radiology Clinical Research Imaging Centre (CRIC).

The new system, called MAGNETOM Cima.X, produces images that provide insight into the human body not previously possible and better enable research into key disease processes. It also significantly reduces the time required to capture such images.

CRIC Director Dr Andrew Dwyer said the clinical benefits of the Cima.X would be initially realised for degenerative brain diseases, traumatic brain injury, and supporting precision treatment of brain tumours.

“It’s on the research front though where we have the greatest potential for breakthroughs," Dr Dwyer said.

"Combining the gradient performance of the Cima.X, frontiers in machine learning and the skills of the team at CRIC will enable our researchers to investigate the body and its processes with a clarity they couldn’t have dreamed about previously.”

The Government of South Australia provided $1 million to support bringing the cutting-edge technology to the state.

The MAGNETOM Cima.X machine, developed by Siemens Healthineers and part of the National Imaging Facility, is the latest evolution in high-end 3-Tesla (3T) MRI technology.

It is the strongest whole-body, clinically approved 3T MRI ever manufactured, and uses a magnet which is more than twice as powerful as anything used in a previous clinical setting.