Bruker has received an order for the first ultra-high field MRI CryoProbe in North America to be installed at the F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD. Supported by an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) award to Dr. Peter van Zijl, Director of the Center, the 500 MHz MRI CryoProbe is part of an ultra-high field preclinical MRI BioSpec® system that includes an 11.7 T UltraShield Refrigerated (USR™) magnet and AVANCE™ III electronics. The MRI CryoProbe offers a leap in sensitivity that will enable even higher resolution imaging of microscopic structures in vivo, furthering the exploration of neurodegenerative diseases in small animals. Sharing a commitment to accelerate novel research, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, John Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bruker have signed a research collaboration agreement to develop advanced imaging techniques for future preclinical imaging applications.
Based on very low temperature, closed-cycle cooled RF-coils and preamplifiers, the unique Bruker MRI CryoProbe delivers an increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a factor of 2.5x over equivalent room temperature RF-coils in routine MRI applications. Bruker is the pioneer and leader in the development of cryogenically cooled probes for high-resolution NMR, and has sold almost 1,000 units worldwide over the last ten years.
The BioSpec® 117/16 system benefits from Bruker's expertise in designing and manufacturing ultra-high field superconducting MRI magnets. Easy, cost efficient siting is supported by the minimized stray field and compact design of the horizontal magnet. The active helium refrigeration and nitrogen-free cooling provides virtually zero boil-off, resulting in reduced maintenance costs together with increased service intervals. Bruker's automatic positioning system AutoPac™ makes animal handling easy and the supervision of the MRI CryoProbe very similar to that of standard room temperature RF-coils.
Professor Peter van Zijl, Director of the F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging at Kennedy Krieger Institute commented: "We are very excited to get this 500 MHz MRI CryoProbe technology as well as the multi-channel transmit system that comes with it. This will allow us to push the boundaries of what is possible with MRI and MRS in the years to come. The close collaboration with Bruker will allow us to stay state of the art with MR hardware and software and to explore novel preclinical imaging technologies."
Dr. Roy Gordon, Vice President of Bruker BioSpin Corporation, added: "We are very pleased to take the next step in MRI CryoProbe technology, now up to 500 MHz, having already proven its exceptional advantages in neuro and cardio preclinical imaging at 300 and 400 MHz. We look forward to seeing the benefits and insights into neurodegenerative disease in animal models that will be gained from this new technology."
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