The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) MISIS Engineering Center for Industrial Technologies in Moscow has linked up with research and production company Magneton to create an MRI device capable of diagnosing patients weighing up to 250 kg.
Until now, the maximum weight load for MRI machines has been between 120 kg and 150 kg, according to a statement from NUST. The machine also reportedly weighs less than other 2-tesla systems.
The unit's air gap is 7.5% more than that of other machines. By reducing the volume and weight of the machine, more space is available for imaging, which enables the capacity to diagnose patients weighing up to 250 kg.
"This allows us to increase the area of the transmitted image by more than 12%, and also reduces the duration of the tomography process," NUST said in the release.
The prototype device was assembled at the Magneton plant in Vladimir, Russia. The developers anticipate launching mass production in two to three years.
