PR98845

GENOA, Italy, Nov. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The world's first simultaneous multi-channel/multi-nuclear 11.74T MRI system is

currently under development at Gachon University Gil Medical Center (GUGMC).

In the first Half of 2022 GUGMC successfully completed the Site Acceptance Test

of the Magnet, which is a core part of the brain-specific ultra-precision

11.74T MRI that is being jointly developed with ASG Superconductors (ASG) in

Italy. GUGMC invited technical managers of ASG and experts from Korea for

performance evaluation of the 11.74T MRI Magnet. Now one of the most

sophisticated magnets in the world is "in operation" and fully serviced by ASG

technicians onsite. At the same time the evaluation committee confirmed that

the magnetic field reached the target field density while maintaining stability

and uniformity.

The Site Acceptance Test evaluated three main criteria: 1) the internal

temperature of the 11.74T MRI magnet (< 2.2K (Kelvin)), 2) the intensity of the

magnetic field (11.74T at 2.2K) 3) the uniformity of the magnetic field. The

test satisfied these three criteria allowing the project to proceed to the next

step. The researchers at GUGMC are aiming to operate the world's first

simultaneous multi-channel/multi-nuclear 11.74T MRI system before the end of

this year combining the 11.74T magnet with gradient magnetic coils, RF coil s ,

electronic equipment, power supplies, etc.

Brain images acquired with the 11.74T MRI are expected to be almost 10 times

more detailed than those obtained from a standard 1.5T MRI, providing

researchers with ultra-high-resolution images of the brain structures for the

early diagnosis and treatment of neuro-degenerative brain diseases such as

Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and stroke, etc.

Professor Woo-Kyung KIM, President of Gachon University Gil Medical Center

(President of the Neuroscience Research Institute) said, "The ultra-high

resolution brain images obtained from the 11.74T MRI system are expected to

provide significant clues for the early diagnosis and treatment of

neuro-degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and

stroke, etc. This 11.74T project (Principal Investigator: Prof. Jun-Young

CHUNG) is supported by a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project

through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the

Ministry for Health and Welfare, Korea."

Stefano Pittaluga Sales Manager UHF and MRI of ASG Superconductors said, "This

is another important milestone for our superconducting technology track record

in a very challenging and exclusive sector like Ultra High Field MRI magnets

development. Furthermore, we're very proud to collaborate with such a

prestigious institute as GUGMC and we're confident that in the coming years

relevant improvements in healthcare will be achieved thanks to this very

sophisticated MRI technology system magnet based on our cutting edge 11.74T

magnet and GUGMC's scientific work"

www.gilhospital.com

www.asgsuperconductors.com

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1948962/ASG_Gachon_video.mp4

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1948955/ASG_Gachon.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1948999/ASG_Gachon_1.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1949000/ASG_Logo.jpg

SOURCE: ASG Superconductors