This poster was originally presented at the RANZCR Annual Scientific Meeting 2011, October 6-9, in Melbourne/AU.
Congress:
RANZCR ASM 2011
Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Safety, Equipment, MR, Paediatric, Neuroradiology brain
Authors:
A. Lane, A. Coulthard, P. Colditz; Brisbane/AU
DOI:
10.1594/ranzcr2011/R-0044
Imaging Findings OR Procedure Details
MRI compatible neonatal incubator
An MRI compatible neonatal incubator (Nomag IC,
Lammers Medical Technology,
Lubeck,
Germany),
with dedicated head and body coils for use with both 1.5T and 3T MRI machines,
has been purchased by the University of Queensland in conjunction with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital. This was the first Australian purchase of a device of this type.
Fig. 0: The MRI compatible neonatal incubator (Nomag IC, Lammers Medical Technology, Lubeck, Germany)
References: Imaging Solutions Pty Ltd
The MRIcNI
- is suitable for patients with a weight up to approximately 4,500g and a head circumference up to approximately 40cm
- has an MRI-compatible chassis with an independent power and gas supply
- sits on a trolley,
which facilitates intra and inter-hospital transportation of the infant
- has hand ports so that the infant can be positioned correctly prior to imaging by medical staff.
- uses custom made head and body coils
With the use of a MRIcNI
- the infant may be transported to the MRI scanner whilst intubated and ventilated by an MRI compatible ventilator and connected to infusion pumps
- vital signs including heart rate,
pulse and oxygen saturation can be monitored
- the air temperature and humidity levels of the incubator can be set
Use of the MRI compatible neonatal incubator at RBWH/RCH
This institution obtained a head coil compatible with the 1.5T MRI scanner,
and head,
abdominal and spine coils for use in the 3T MRI scanner.
We use the MRIcNI routinely in the clinical care of neonates at RBWH and it is currently being used in a research study.
Clinical:
- All neonates referred for MRI as part of clinical care (over 50 babies so far) are scanned using the MRIcNI
- The MRIcNI replaced the use of bean bags to assist in keeping the infant immobilized and warm
- The main indication is premature or term neonates with brain injury undergoing MRI brain
- Other indications include babies with spina bifida referred for spine MRI and abdominal and renal indications for abdominal MRI
The MRIcNI is currently being used to obtain high quality images in a randomised clinical trial to determine whether massage in preterm infants leads to structural (MR tractography) or functional (dense array EEG) alterations in brain development.
Fig. 0: Professor Paul Colditz prepares a baby for MRI imaging using the MRI compatible neonatal incubator.
References: P.Colditz, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Logistics of transfer
In our institution neonatal transfer into the MRIcNI is performed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by the NICU staff. This process provides for a minimum of interference once the baby is settled into the MRIcNI in NICU and involves:
- feeding
- placement into the pre-warmed MRIcNI
- connection to the oxygen saturation monitor and,
if ventilated,
to the ventilator
- replacement of the mattress with the body coil (if this is to be used) prior to placement of the infant in the MRIcNI
- application of neonatal ear muffs and a light swaddling blanket
- transfer from NICU to Radiology department
- insertion of the appropriate head coil from the end of the incubator
- lifting the trolley onto the MR bed
- scanning being performed while the infant is in the MRIcNI and continuously connected to the same monitor,
ventilator and IV pumps.