INVISION SALLY JOBE MRI INSTALLATION

Invision Sally Jobe – Lone Tree, CO

The MRI Suite Construction

By: Foothills Commercial Builders

High speed magnetic resonance imaging scanner ready to save lives. View the installation process…

The MRI scanner arrives on March 30th, 2013 via flatbed truck.

After a trial run, the 9,000 lbmagnet is lifted off of the truckby this enormous crane.

The MRI is moved closer to thebuilding. Carefully…

The crate and packaging are removed before the unit is lifted again.

9,000 lbs of magnet and steel are guided toward the opening to the suite.

There is no room for error.Only 6” of space remains on either side of the magnet.

Installation is complex and labor intensive.

Success!

Remodelled reception area for completed Invision Sally Jobe Imaging Center

Alternate view of reception area

Siemens CT Scanner Suite

D-Evo Suite with floor mount stand

Interesting Facts About the Scanner

MRI Room Floor PreparationMRI scanners use magnets and radio waves to generate images of the body. The magnet is very sensitive to any metal in its vicinity. Consequently, preparation of the MRI scanner room entails creating a floor base for the scanner that is free from all metal. The only way to ensure this is to dig out the existing floor (to a depth of two feet) and re-fill it with “clean” dirt. The debris-free dirt is compressed and covered with concrete to provide a level surface for the scanner.

MRI ShieldingDue to the strong magnetic field created by MRI scanners, they require protective shields to protect both the scanner and the surrounding area.An RF (radio frequency) shield must be used around the MRI scanner to block out specific radio waves that may distort the images created by the MRI. The RF shielding must create a complete box around the scanner, including walls, the ceiling and floor. It can be made of almost any metal, but the most common types are copper, galvanized steel and aluminum.Magnetic shielding must also surround the MRI scanner. This shield prevents the magnetic field created by the scanner from interfering with surrounding areas. It needs to be strategically placed to contain the magnetic field so that people (i.e. employees, patients, maintenance staff) cannot unknowingly pass through it.

MRI Scanner Cooling SystemThe key to the efficiency and ability of any magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner is the huge superconducting magnet within the MRI’s outer ring. To reach maximum performance, these magnets must be cooled down to -2 to -600 degrees celsius. Liquid helium is commonly used as a refrigerant to accomplish this. In order to maintain the liquid helium cooling system, a water-cooled gradient compressor needs to be used. The chiller is installed and functional prior to the delivery of the magnet and installation.

These are the people who will make it all happen.