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Europe's first new installation for oncological and cardiovascular imaging and neurosciences / Ultra-strong magnetic field gradients offer significantly higher contrasts than before and make microstructures in tissue visible

Europe's most modern 3 Tesla whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner with patient approval was inaugurated at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The tomograph is characterized by a very high spatial resolution and enables, among other things, insights into the microstructure of the tissue. The integrated artificial intelligence support enables significantly faster and sharper images than before. In future, the device will be used in cancer, heart and brain research, among other areas.

"With the new MRI scanner in Freiburg, we can delve deeper into tissue than ever before," says Prof. Dr. Maxim Zaitsev, Head of the Department of Medical Physics at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, where the device is operated. The Magnetom Cima.X scanner from Siemens Healthineers is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts, the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and the University of Freiburg.

Insights almost down to cell level

The new MRI system can particularly demonstrate its strengths in diffusion-weighted MRI imaging. This allows researchers to examine the course of heart muscle fibers after a heart attack or the cellular composition of a tumor up to four times more precisely than before. Initial projects are planned in the fields of breast cancer research, heart research and imaging of the abdominal organs. The device can also make an important difference in brain imaging, for example after a stroke or in neurodegenerative diseases.

Cutting-edge international research "Made in Freiburg"

"MR imaging has been a global flagship for cutting-edge research 'made in Freiburg' for decades. I am very pleased that Maxim Zaitsev and his team have succeeded in consolidating this leading international position with the new device," says Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg. The Department of Medical Physics is one of the world's leading institutions for MRI research. Research focuses on technical development and basic biomedical research as well as on improving clinical diagnostics.

"With the new MRI machine, we are strengthening basic research, clinical research and, in the long term, patient care. At the same time, we are further shaping digitalization and the sensible use of artificial intelligence in medicine," says Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

As a first step, the Freiburg researchers will develop new measurement methods in order to make the best possible use of the strengths of the new MR system. "We want to continue to provide our partners worldwide with the best diagnostic methods in order to make optimal use of the latest MRI devices," explains Zaitsev.

Caption 1: The innovative whole-body MRI device allows unique insights into the body that reach almost down to the cellular level.
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg

Caption2(from left to right): Andreas Schneck, Executive Vice President Magnetic Resonance, Siemens Healthineers and from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg Prof. Dr. Fabian Bamberg, Medical Director, Department of Radiology, Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Dr. Maxim Zaitsev, Head of the Department of Medical Physics, Department of Radiology.
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg

Caption 3: Course of individual nerve fibers in the brain. Images like these can be produced with the highest precision using the newly installed MRI machine.
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg