An open bore MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) system differs from a traditional MRI by the size of the opening, or bore, in which the patient lies within a large cylindrical magnet. This magnetic field, along with radio waves and a computer, create a detailed image of the patient's organs, tissues and bones that aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In a traditional MRI, the bore is only slightly larger than the patient, creating a restrictive and to some, uncomfortable environment. The open bore MRI technology was designed to accommodate those obese or claustrophobic patients who could not be served by a traditional MRI.
Although the open bore MRI creates a more comfortable exam for those patients, the quality of the image scan was jeopardized by the size of the bore and its resulting weak magnetic field. The field strength of the magnet is measured in units of Tesla (T), with previous open MRI magnets at low Tesla strengths of 0.3 to 0.5T. These lower strengths produced images that were of poor quality, oftentimes frustrating both the physician and the patient.
Recent Siemens technology has combined the comfort of an open MRI with a powerful 1.5T magnet to create the Open Bore MAGNETOM Espree with Total Imaging Matrix (TIM)T Technology. The first of its kind, the Open Bore Espree offers an amazing 2.3 feet diameter bore, eliminating the confinement of traditional MRI designs. The Espree also features the shortest magnet, which at only 4 feet long allows for more than 60 percent of exams to be completed with the patient's head outside the bore. The new feet-first design enables patients to see the exam room and communicate with medical staff at all times. Bodily contact is also possible, allowing children to hold the hand of an accompanying parent for comfort and assurance. Where a head-first exam becomes necessary, patients can enjoy generous elbow and headroom - nearly one foot of space between a patient's face and the magnet.
The Espree provides up to four times more signal-to-noise ratio over traditional open MRI designs, which is desirable in imaging larger patients. In addition, the Espree can perform advanced exams in less time - an average exam time of only 40 minutes - because it combines strong gradient performance with Siemens' TIMT technology. TimT is the first whole body surface coil design that enables the highest resolution images in a shorter acquisition time. TimT coils are very light, making them both easy to position and tolerate when scanning larger patients.
The 1.5T Espree can accommodate patients up to 550 lbs., compared to 300 lbs. with closed high field MRI designs. The table adjusts down to a comfortable 18 inches, making it ideal for obese and elderly patients. Starting and finishing an exam is as easy as lying down and getting up from a sofa.
Raleigh Radiology was the first in the triangle to offer the 1.5T Open Bore Espree MRI. This technology is available at both our Blue Ridge and Cedarhurst locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Where can this procedure be performed?
Raleigh Radiology Blue Ridge and Cedarhurst locations both offer the Espree technology. Obese and elderly patients no longer need to travel long distances for an open MRI scan.
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Can I request the Open Bore MRI over a traditional MRI if I am not obese or claustrophobic?
Absolutely. The Siemen's 1.5T Open Bore MRI at our Blue Ridge and Cedarhurst facilities provide a more comfortable patient experience for larger patients, claustrophobics, or anyone who just wants more space. With the Siemen's Espree, one size fits all.
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Will my insurance cover the new Open bore MRI technology?
Insurance coverage for the 1.5T Open Bore MRI is no different than coverage for a traditional MRI. Raleigh Radiology Blue Ridge and Cedarhurst are considered in network with most major insurance companies. Most insurance plans do require pre-authorizations for MRI exams. Patients are advised to check directly with their insurance company for their MRI benefit. Patient benefits may vary for pre-authorization, deductible, or co-pay requirements.
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What is the difference between the open MRI's of the past and the new Open Bore Espree MRI?
While an open MRI provided a comfortable patient experience and accommodated patients weighing up to 500 lbs., a lower strength magnet (0.3 -0.5 tesla) provided poor image quality and little diagnostic significance. The design of the new Open Bore Espree is similar to that of a CT scanner, allowing patients a comfortable, roomy experience. The strong tesla strength (at 1.5T) and features such as TIMT (Total Imaging Matrix technology), allow the magnet to produce exceptional, high resolution images.
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What are the risks of an MRI?
There are no known harmful effects created by the magnetic field or the radio waves. The exam is dangerous to patients with certain implanted devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, cochlear implants and aneurysm clips. An MRI would not be performed on these patients. If contrast examination is necessary, then there is a very small risk of allergic reaction to the injected contrast dye.
W. Kent Davis, MD
Neuroradiologist
- Medical Director, Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst, Clayton, Wake Forest, and Brier Creek
- BS, Duke University
- MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Internship in internal medicine, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore
- Resident in radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in neuroradiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Certificate of Added Qualifications in Neuroradiology awarded by American Board of Radiology
- Member, American Society of Neuroradiology
- Native of North Carolina
Expertise in head, neck, and spine imaging; breast imaging and breast intervention
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1990
Andrew B. Weber, MD
Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
- BS, University of Pennsylvania
- MD, Temple University Medical School
- Internship in surgery, York Hospital
- Chief resident, Duke University Medical Center
- Former Chief, Rex Hospital Radiology
- 2009 Chairman, Rex Hospital Open
- Rex Corporate Counsel
- Native of Pennsylvania
Expertise in vascular/interventional radiology and MR angiography
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1992
Julia K. Taber, MD
Women’s Imaging Radiologist
- Chief of Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BS, Brown University
- MD, Duke University Medical School
- Internship in internal medicine, New York Hospital
- Resident in diagnostic radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in mammography and pediatric radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Society of Breast Imaging
- Member, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
- Women’s Imaging Radiologist
Expertise in breast imaging, breast intervention, and pediatric radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1993
Gregory C. Hinn, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- Head of Musculoskeletal Imaging at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- MD, Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University
- Resident in radiology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
- Fellowship in diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal radiology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
- Musculoskeletal radiologist for the North Carolina State University Athletic Department.
- Raised in North Carolina
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging with bone and joint intervention
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1995
Gregory A. Bortoff, MD, PhD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- Head of Computed Tomography (CT) at Rex Hospital
- Radiologist Recruiter
- BS, Cornell University
- MD, PhD, State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse
- Resident in radiology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
- Member, Radiological Society of North America
- Member, American Roentgen Ray Society
- Native of New York
Expertise in abdominal imaging, including MRI, MRA, ultrasound, oncologic imaging, and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1999
Jerry L. Watson, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- BS with honors, Johns Hopkins University
- MD, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
- Resident in radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chief of Radiology, 67th Combat Support Hospital, United States Army, Germany 1996–1998
- Native of Georgia
Expertise in abdominal imaging, including MRI, MRA, ultrasound, breast intervention, oncologic imaging, and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1999
Cynthia S. Payne, MD
Vascular and Interventional & Neuroradiologist
- MD, Medical College of Ohio
- Internship, Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Resident, neurology and radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowships in molecular neurogenetics, vascular/interventional radiology and neuroradiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Certificate of Added Qualifications in Neuroradiology, Vascular and
- Interventional Radiology awarded by American Board of Radiology
- Director of neuro-interventional radiology, Greater Baltimore Medical Center
- Native of North Carolina
Expertise in vascular and interventional radiology, diagnostic, and interventional neuroradiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2001
Tracey E. O’Connell, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BA, University of Colorado at Boulder
- MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Resident in radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Radiological Society of North America
- Native of California
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging with bone and joint intervention and abdominal imaging including MRI, MRA, CT, and ultrasound
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2001
Jennifer S. Van Vickle, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- Head of Ultrasound at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of Chicago, M.Div and Th.M, Duke University
- MD, Duke University Medical Center
- Internship in internal medicine, Duke University Medical Center
- Resident in diagnostic radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging and mammography, Duke University Medical Center
- Native of Missouri
Expertise in breast imaging, breast intervention, abdominal and pelvic imaging, including CT, ultrasound, and MRI
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2002
Gintaras E. Degesys, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BA with high honors, Kenyon College
- MD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Internship and chief resident, Northwestern University
- Fellowship in interventional and abdominal imaging, Duke University Medical Center
- Certificate of Added Qualifi cations in Vascular and Interventional Radiology awarded by American Board of Radiology
- Native of Ohio
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging, breast intervention, and abdominal imaging and intervention
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2002
Laura O. Thomas, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- Head of Rex Breast Care Center at Rex Hospital
- Radiologist Recruiter
- BA, Princeton University
- MD, Duke University Medical School
- Internship in internal medicine, UNC Hospitals
- Chief resident, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in women’s and abdominal imaging, Duke University Medical Center
- Native of Missouri
Expertise in breast imaging, breast intervention, abdominal imaging, oncologic imaging, and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2003
John G. “Jay” Alley, Jr, MD
Neuroradiologist
- Vice Chief of Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program, Columbia University, New York
- MD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
- Co-chief resident in diagnostic radiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals
- Fellowship in neuroradiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals
- Native of North Carolina
Expertise in neuroradiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2004
Todd J. Roth, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- BS, University of Texas, Austin
- MD, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio
- Residency, Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging, Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University
- Native of Kansas
Expertise in abdominal and pelvic MRI, MRA, CT, and ultrasound
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2004
Steven R. Carter, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BS, University of Virginia
- MS, Medical College of Virginia
- MD, Medical College of Virginia
- Internship in internal medicine, MCV
- Chief resident, diagnostic radiology, Emory University
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal imaging, Emory University
- Member, American Roentgen Ray Society, American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America
- Musculoskeletal radiologist for the Carolina Hurricanes
- Native of Richmond, Virginia
Expertise in musculoskeletal radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2005
Satish Mathan, MD
Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
- Head of Interventional and Vascular Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BS, University of California at Santa Barbara
- MD, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Internship, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA
- Chief resident, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC
- Fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals
- Member, Society of Interventional Radiology, American College of Radiology
- Native of Raleigh, North Carolina
Expertise in interventional radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2005
Andrew G. Moran, MD
Nuclear Medicine Radiologist
- Head of Nuclear Medicine Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BS, Idaho State University
- MD, Utah School of Medicine
- Residency, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowships in body imaging and nuclear radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Society of Nuclear Medicine
- Native of California
Expertise in abdominal imaging, oncologic imaging, nuclear medicine and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2006
Joshua B. Mitchell, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BA, University of Virginia
- MD, University of Tennessee College of Medicine
- Internship, Medical University of South Carolina
- Chief resident, Medical University of South Carolina
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, University of Florida
- Member, American College of Radiology, South Carolina
- Radiological Society, Association of University Radiologists, Radiological Society of North America
- Native of Chattanooga, Tennessee
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2007
Jeffrey Browne, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BS, Boston College
- MD, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
- Internship, St. Raphael’s Hospital
- Residency, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America and American Roetgen Ray Society.
- Native of Connecticut
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2008
Michael C. Hollingshead, MD
Neuroradiologist
- Head of Neuroradiology at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Internship, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Residency, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fellowship in neuroradiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Certificate of added Qualifications in Neuroradiology awarded by American Board of Radiology
- Member, American Society of Neuroradiology, American College of Radiology,Radiological Society of North America
- Native of Massachusetts
Expertise in neuroradiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2008
Jason R. Harris, MD
Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
- BS, Brigham Young University
- MD, Harvard Medical School
- Internship, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Massachusetts
- Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, American College of Radiology, Society of Interventional Radiology
- Native of California
Expertise in vascular and interventional and musculoskeletal radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2008
Patient Preparation
MRI of the Brain or Orbits
- No eye makeup or hair pins/hair weaves
MRI of the Abdomen and/or MRCP
- No food or drink for 4 hours prior to exam. NPO for 6-8 hours is optimal.
You may be asked to wear a gown during the exam or you may be allowed to wear your own clothing if it is loose-fitting and has no metal fasteners. You will be asked to empty your pockets and remove eyeglasses, hearing aids, hairpins, removable dental work, jewelry, watches or any other metallic objects.
Guidelines about eating and drinking before an MRI vary depending on the type of exam. Unless you are told otherwise, you may follow your regular daily routine and take medications as usual. Some MRI examinations may require the patient to receive an injection of contrast into the bloodstream.
The Open Bore MRI at Raleigh Radiology eliminates the need for sedation in claustrophobic patients; however, children who have trouble remaining still may need a sedative for optimal examination. Raleigh Radiology does not provide IV sedation on-site. Sedation exams can be accommodated at Raleigh Radiology at Rex Hospital.
MRI Safety
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a way of obtaining very detailed images of organs and tissues throughout the body without utilizing radiation. Instead, MRI utilizes a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, a rapidly changing magnetic field, and a computer to demonstrate whether or not there is an injury or some disease process present. An MRI exam causes no pain, and the magnetic fields cause no known tissue damage or side effects. However, the powerful magnetic field of the MR system will attract iron-containing (ferromagnetic) objects or cause them to move suddenly and with great force. This includes items in the body (aneurysm clips...) or external objects. Other metallic implants or objects may distort the MRI images. In addition, some MRI exams may require the injection of a contrast material called gadilinium into a vein to help interpret the exam. Although gadilinium does not contain iodine, recent findings have shown the gadilinium-based contrast agents increase the risk of nephrogenic system fibrosis (NSF) in certain patients.
For these reasons, great care is taken to ensure your safety. All MRI patients are asked the following questions:
MRI Screening Questions:
- Is this your First MRI? ____ If no, where was the previous MRI performed? ___________
- Was the previous MRI for the same problem?______
- What is your weight? _____ (If between 330 - 550lbs, you should be scheduled at Blue Ridge or Cedarhurst location. If under 330lbs, you can be scheduled at Cary, Wake Forest or Clayton facilities.)
- Have you ever sought medical treatment for getting metal fragments in your eyes or had significant exposure to welding, grinding or soldering due to your profession or hobby? If yes, an orbit x-ray will be done free of charge prior to your scan. These x-rays are done on a walk in basis during the following hours:
- Blue Ridge Mon – Fri 8:00am – 5:15pm
- Cary Mon – Fri 8:30am – 4:45pm
- Cedarhurst Mon – Fri 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Wake Forest Mon – Fri 8:00am -5:00pm
- Have you ever had any type of cancer? ___ If yes, what type and when were you diagnosed?__________
- Are you claustrophobic? ___ If yes, you should be scheduled at the Open Bore MRI locations at Blue Ridge or Cedarhurst. If you and your physician determine that a sedative (such as Valium) is needed for this procedure, you must arrive prior to your scan to complete paperwork and you MUST bring a driver.
- Do you have renal failure? ____
- Are you over 60 yrs old? ____ Are you diabetic? ____
Do you have high blood pressure? ___ If so, we must have labs with a Creatinine to determine GFR. (Labs are considered current within 90 days) - Do you have any implanted devices such as Aneurysm clips, insulin pumps, TENS unit, epidural drug delivery, artificial heart valve, defibrillator or a Pacemaker? ____ (If yes, you probably cannot have a MRI or your physician must provide us documentation with make and model of implanted devices )
- Have you had surgery in the last 6 weeks? ___ If yes, what kind?_________________
(We suggest you schedule 6 weeks after your surgery) - Have you ever had any surgery on the area being scanned? __ If yes, when?___
- Do you have a chest port for IV access? ____ If yes, we do not have a nurse to inject contrast into a port – we must inject the patient.
- Please bring a list of all medications you are currently taking.
Is there chance you could be pregnant? _____ - Does this exam require pre-authorization from your insurance? ______
Open Bore MRI Brochure
