AIIMS Set to Initiate Human Trials on Indigenous MRI System in October

Synopsis

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi is set to initiate human trials for India's first domestically produced MRI machine system in October, following successful animal trials and collaborative efforts with various agencies.

Key Takeaways

AIIMS to begin human trials on indigenous MRI system.
The MRI system is developed under a national mission.
Collaborative agencies include C-DAC and IUAC.
Animal trials have successfully concluded.
MoU between SAMEER and AIIMS to enhance medical technology.

New Delhi, March 26 (NationPress) The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi is slated to commence human trials on India's inaugural indigenously developed MRI machine system this October.

The homegrown 1.5 Tesla MRI system, designed for medical imaging, will be constructed at the Indigenous Magnetic Resonance Imaging (IMRI) facility—a national initiative backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) and executed at the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an autonomous government organization under Meity.

Collaborating agencies such as C-DAC (Trivandrum), C-DAC (Kolkata), IUAC (New Delhi), and DSI-MIRC (Bangalore) will contribute to the design and development of the MRI system.

Meity has reported that animal trials have been successfully completed.

Additionally, the development and testing of various subsystems, including RF Power Amplifier, High power T/R switch, RF spectrometer, RF Coils, Rx. Front ends, control unit, couch, and IMRI software, have been finalized and integrated with the obtained magnet, gradient coil, and gradient amplifier.

“India is making significant advancements in creating affordable and indigenous health solutions, including medical devices, to satisfy not just local needs but also to cater to the next billion,” stated Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator R&D, MeitY.

The MRI machine development is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SAMEER and AIIMS.

Through this MoU, both institutions aim to collaboratively develop high-field/low field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) systems, while also promoting research in radio frequency (RF), microwave systems, and related fields for medical purposes.

The MoU covers five primary areas: joint research in medical device development; clinical validation of the indigenous 1.5 T MRI system developed by SAMEER, Mumbai; collaborative research in AI/ML for image enhancement and accelerated imaging; design and development of subsystems for high/low field MRI scanners; and advancement of RF subsystems for high field animal MRI scanners.

“Showcasing the nation's capabilities is vital, and clinicians should collaborate closely with scientists to innovate and enhance medical devices,” emphasized Dr. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, New Delhi.