MRI Core (COM)

Overview of Services

MRI Laboratory
The MRI Core Facility and Center for NMR Research (CNMRR) have 6,500 sq. ft. of laboratory space, which includes: biochemical, electronic and surgical suites, and a fully equipped machine shop with a Universal X2-600 computer guided 2 axis laser manufacturing system. The laser cuts, drills, and engraves plastics (delrin, polycarbonate, nylon) to an accuracy of 0.002 inches on a 32" x 18" working surface.

Equipment
The MRI Core facility has two MRI systems and an EEG MRI-compatible system dedicated for research.

• 3T Siemens PRISMA-Fit scanner equipped with True 2 Channel Tx and 64 Channel Rx. The latest RF coil set including a 64 Channel head coil and software packages with full clinical capability.
• 7T Biospec 70/20 as small animal imaging system (Bruker Biospin, Ettlingen, Germany).
• 128-channel high-density geodesic MRI compatible EEG system.

Full sensory fMRI stimulation systems:

• SenSaVue System for visual and auditory stimulation (Invivo Corp, FL, USA), which includes an LCD visual display, audio system, button response unit and software (E-Prime) for paradigm creation, patient management, protocol planning, precise delivery of brain stimulation, and behavioral analysis.
• ETT Olfactometer with full-programmable 6 independent channels for odor and trigeminal stimulation (ETT, LLC, Hershey, PA).
• Olfact Smell Test System (Osmic Enterprises, Inc., Cincinnati, OH) is a computerized instrument to test the smell functions of human subjects. The smell functions that can be tested are odor threshold, odor identification, and odor memory.
• ETT Gustatometer with full-programmable 7 independent channels for taste stimulation (ETT,LLC, Hershey, PA)
• Eye Link 1000 Plus system via SR Research: The EyeLink 1000 Plus Host PC performs real-time eye tracking at 250, 500,1000, or 2000 samples per second while computing true gaze position on the display viewed by the participant. The Host PC also performs on-line detection and analysis of eye-motion events such as saccades, blinks, and fixations. In addition to the sample data, these events are stored in a data file on the Host PC. They can be sent through the Ethernet link to the Display PC with a minimal delay or output as analog signals (if the optional analog/digital I/O card is installed). From the Host PC, the operator performs participant setup, monitors their performance, and can communicate with applications running on a Display PC.

Leadership

Bruce Stanley | Scientific Director for all Cores

Qing Yang | Professor Radiology/Director NMR/Faculty Advisor for MRI Core Director 

Jeff Vesek | Director MRI Core 

Location and hours of operation

Links and Resources

• https://med.psu.edu/core/imaging

Contacts