MRI – Impact Lab

Inventions, Medical Breakthrough, Medicine, new technology

World’s first full-body medical scanner generates astonishing 3D images

November 24, 2018

The new EXPLORER full-body scanner promises faster and more detailed medical imaging(Credit: UC Davis)

After over a decade of development, the world’s first full-body medical scanner has produced its first images. The groundbreaking imaging device is almost 40 times faster than current PET scans and can capture a 3D picture of the entire human body in one instant scan.

Called EXPLORER, the full-body scanner combines positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT). Following years of research, a prototype, primate-sized scanner was revealed in 2016. After expansive testing, the first human-sized device was fabricated in early 2018.

Continue reading… “World’s first full-body medical scanner generates astonishing 3D images”

Alzheimer's Disease, Medicine, Science & Technology News

Eye scan may detect Alzheimer’s disease in seconds

November 7, 2018

Two new studies now suggest that a noninvasive eye scan could soon be used to catch Alzheimer’s disease early.

A simple eye scan may soon detect Alzheimer’s in a matter of seconds.

The world’s population is aging rapidly and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise.

For this reason, the need for efficient dementia screening methods that can be applied to millions of people is dire.

Continue reading… “Eye scan may detect Alzheimer’s disease in seconds”

AI, Analysis, Automation, Medical Breakthrough, Science & Technology News

Google AI claims 99% accuracy in metastatic breast cancer detection

October 25, 2018

Above: Left: a slide containing lymph nodes. Right: LYNA identifying the tumor region.

Metastatic tumors — cancerous cells which break away from their tissue of origin, travel through the body through the circulatory or lymph systems, and form new tumors in other parts of the body — are notoriously difficult to detect. A 2009 study of 102 breast cancer patients at two Boston health centers found that one in four were affected by the “process of care” failures such as inadequate physical examinations and incomplete diagnostic tests.

That’s one of the reasons that of the half a million deaths worldwide caused by breast cancer, an estimated 90 percent are the result of metastasis. But researchers at the Naval Medical Center San Diego and Google AI, a division within Google dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) research, have developed a promising solution employing cancer-detecting algorithms that autonomously evaluate lymph node biopsies.

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Cancer, Healthcare, Medical Breakthrough, new technology

Magnetic ‘metal seed’ that destroys brain tumours in ten minutes invented by British scientists

June 11, 2018

Deadly brain tumours could be heated up by MRI scanners until they die in groundbreaking treatment

Deadly brain tumours could be removed in just ten minutes with a groundbreaking new treatment which uses MRI scanners to heat up cancer cells until they die.

The new therapy, developed by University College London, involves injecting a tiny magnetic metal ‘seed’ into the bloodstream and directing it to the site of the cancer.

Continue reading… “Magnetic ‘metal seed’ that destroys brain tumours in ten minutes invented by British scientists”

Healthcare, Medical Breakthrough, Medicine, Science & Technology News

This handheld 3D body scanning device could replace the MRI — using the motion-sensing technology from a Nintendo Wii

November 4, 2017

Why can’t handheld ultrasound devices come with the same motion-sensing technology inside a video game controller?

Continue reading… “This handheld 3D body scanning device could replace the MRI — using the motion-sensing technology from a Nintendo Wii”

Health & Fitness, Healthcare, Medical Breakthrough, Medicine, Science & Technology News

First 3D heart printed using multiple imaging techniques

June 30, 2015

Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital congenital heart experts have successfully integrated two common imaging techniques to produce a three-dimensional anatomic model of a patient’s heart. Continue reading… “First 3D heart printed using multiple imaging techniques”

Analysis, Brain, Health & Fitness, Science & Technology News

Brain scans can predict who will gain weight or have sex in the next 6 months

April 18, 2012

Women whose nucleus accumbens reacts strongly to pictures of appealing food are more likely to gain weight in the next six months.

The activity in the nucleus accumbens, a region of the brain associated with reward, can predict who will gain weight or have sex in the next six months, according to new research.

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Analysis, Brain, Health & Fitness, Science & Technology News

Teens Can Resist Temptation as Their Brains Develop

March 10, 2011

Teens can resist the temptation for risky behavior.

Teenagers become more able to resist the urge to take part in risky behavior as their brains develop, not less, a study indicates. MRI scans of boys’ and girls’ brains aged 10 and 13 show that activity in a part of the pre-frontal cortex tasked with deciding whether or not to take risks, called the ventral striatum, increases significantly.

Continue reading… “Teens Can Resist Temptation as Their Brains Develop”