Cover for Niche MRI scanner, made by InnerVision MRI Ltd, UK, 1992

Premature babies are at high risk of brain damage, but they can often not be moved to a MRI machine due to their condition and the large amounts of monitoring equipment needed. They are therefore examined with ultrasound which provides low-resolution images. Niche MRI scanners have small patient’s aperture making them ideal for orthopedic and pediatric procedures. The reduced size means that the machine can easily be relocated around the hospital, and be used near life support machines.

Set-up in 1992, InnerVision MRI Ltd pioneered the use of high energy Neodymium dedicated magnets and compact Windows based MRI spectrometers. Clinical trials of their Niche MRI scanner showed that in 56% of cases it provided additional useful clinical information over and above that obtained with ultrasound.