From Siemens Medical Systems;
the MAGNETOM Rhapsody™. This open MRI system offers the proven image quality of 1.0 Tesla. In addition to the resulting broad range of applications, the open magnet of the high field system MAGNETOM Rhapsodyâ„¢ facilitates examination of claustrophobic and pediatric patients. And the system allows for expanded interventional applications.

There are different types of contraindications that would prevent a person from being examined with an MRI scanner. MRI systems use strong magnetic fields that attract any ferromagnetic objects with enormous force. Caused by the potential risk of heating, produced from the radio frequency pulses during the MRI procedure, metallic objects like wires, foreign bodies and other implants needs to be checked for compatibility. High field MRI requires particular safety precautions. In addition, any device or MRI equipment that enters the magnet room has to be MR compatible. MRI examinations are safe and harmless, if these MRI risks are observed and regulations are followed.

Safety concerns in magnetic resonance imaging include:

It is important to remember when working around a superconducting magnet that the magnetic field is always on. Under usual working conditions the field is never turned off. Attention must be paid to keep all ferromagnetic items at an adequate distance from the magnet. Ferromagnetic objects which came accidentally under the influence of these strong magnets can injure or kill individuals in or nearby the magnet, or can seriously damage every hardware, the magnet itself, the cooling system, etc.. See MRI resources Accidents.
The doors leading to a magnet room should be closed at all times except when entering or exiting the room. Every person working in or entering the magnet room or adjacent rooms with a magnetic field has to be instructed about the dangers. This should include the patient, intensive-care staff, and maintenance-, service- and cleaning personnel, etc..
The 5 Gauss limit defines the 'safe' level of static magnetic field exposure. The value of the absorbed dose is fixed by the authorities to avoid heating of the patient's tissue and is defined by the specific absorption rate. Leads or wires that are used in the magnet bore during imaging procedures, should not form large-radius wire loops. Leg-to-leg and leg-to-arm skin contact should be prevented in order to avoid the risk of burning due to the generation of high current loops if the legs or arms are allowed to touch. The patient's skin should not be in contact with the inner bore of the magnet.
The outflow from cryogens like liquid helium is improbable during normal operation and not a real danger for patients.
The safety of MRI contrast agents is tested in drug trials and they have a high compatibility with very few side effects. The variations of the side effects and possible contraindications are similar to X-ray contrast medium, but very rare. In general, an adverse reaction increases with the quantity of the MRI contrast medium and also with the osmolarity of the compound.

See also 5 Gauss Fringe Field, 5 Gauss Line, Cardiac Risks, Cardiac Stent, dB/dt, Legal Requirements, Low Field MRI, Magnetohydrodynamic Effect, MR Compatibility, MR Guided Interventions, Claustrophobia, MRI Risks and Shielding.

Odin Medical Technologies, Ltd. was founded in Israel, in 1996. Odin Medical Technologies, Inc. was established in early 2000 in the United States as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Odin Medical Technologies develops and manufactures intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image guidance systems designed to improve neurosurgical interventions with a special focus on minimally invasive procedures.
As of July 25, 2006, Odin Medical Technologies, Ltd. was acquired by Medtronic, Inc.

MRI Scanners:

0.23T:

From Philips Medical Systems;
the Panorama 0.23 T, providing a new design optimized for patient comfort, faster reconstruction time than before (300 images/second) and new gradient specifications. Philips' Panorama 0.23 T I/T supports MR-guided interventions, resulting in minimally invasive procedures, more targeted surgery, reduced recovery time and shorter hospital stays. Optional OptoGuide functionality enables real-time needle tracking. Philips' Panorama 0.23 TPanorama 0.2 R/T is the first and only open MRI system to enable radiation therapy planning using MR data sets. The Panorama also features the new and consistent Philips User Interface, an essential element of the Vequion clinical IT family of products and services.

From GE Healthcare;
The Signa SP 0.5T™ is an open MRI magnet that is designed for use in interventional radiology and intra-operative imaging. The vertical gap configuration increases patient positioning options, improves patient observation, and allows continuous access to the patient during imaging. The magnet enclosure also incorporates an intercom, patient observation video camera, laser patient alignment lights, and task lighting in the imaging volume.