Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI Core Associate Director
164 – 1st Floor Burrard Building
63435

Advanced Imaging of Patients with Heart and Lung Disease

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Core at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation provides access to state of-the-art MRI equipment and protocols dedicated to structure-function investigations of heart and lung disease.

3T MRI

Central to the facility is a Siemens Vida 3.0 Tesla clinical MRI scanner with a 70 cm bore and full complement of anatomy-specific RF coils for human imaging. This scanner includes broadband RF hardware capable of imaging hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe gas as an inhaled contrast agent. Advanced research protocols are available for structure-function cardiac and pulmonary imaging.

Hyperpolarized 129Xe Gas Facility

The Polarean ¹²⁹Xe Hyperpolarizer enables high-efficiency polarization of ¹²⁹Xe gas as a contrast agent in combination with dedicated ¹²⁹Xe lung RF coils for advanced functional lung imaging.

Support

Our clinical and research technologists have extensive training on all MRI and polarizer equipment. Support is available at every project stage including experimental design, ¹²⁹Xe MRI and other imaging-related REB applications, protocol development, training and hands-on advice for image and data analysis.

MRI Core Rates

Consultation	All Studies	$75/hour
MRI Rate Including 1 MRI technologist Second MRI technologist available for additional charge	Internal HLI Academic	$200/hour
	External non-HLI Academic	$550/hour
	Industry	Negotiated on individual study basis with sponsor
	Pilot Rate	$100/hour (maximum 3 hours)
	Technical Development	Negotiated on individual study basis
	Cancellations	No charge with 2 days notice
Research Technician ¹²⁹Xe hyperpolarizer operation, image analysis (where applicable)	Internal HLI Academic	$35/hour
	External non-HLI Academic	$50/hour
	Industry	$80/hour
¹²⁹Xe Gas	All ¹²⁹Xe Studies	$500/L
Lab Supplies For ¹²⁹Xe studies; includes disposable gas sampling bags and tubing, nitrogen gas, liquid nitrogen Subject to change if large quantities of supplies requested	All ¹²⁹Xe Studies	$100/exam
Chest CT Scan For paired acquisition with MRI Inspiratory only or inspiratory and expiratory Low-dose, non-contrast using established research protocol	Internal HLI Academic	$600/scan
	External non-HLI Academic	$700/scan
	Industry	Negotiated on individual study basis