Most infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) cannot undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to their fragility and the risk involved in moving them from the NICU to the radiology department. Now, an innovative neonatal MRI system tailored specifically for infant anatomy can be directly installed in the NICU and employs a 3 Tesla (3T) magnet, a feature previously absent in neonatal MRI systems.

The Ascent3T is a groundbreaking neonatal MRI system from Eyas Medical Imaging (Cincinnati, OH, USA) that addresses a significant accessibility issue for infants by enabling installation directly within the neonatal unit. This eliminates the risks associated with transporting delicate newborns to separate MRI sites within the hospital. The Ascent3T's compact design and innovative engineering cater specifically to infant anatomy. The system features a 3T magnet, which provides a more thorough and precise diagnostic tool, enabling healthcare professionals to receive detailed imaging of vital organs, such as the brain, lungs, heart, and abdomen. A 3T MRI system offers unparalleled accuracy in neonatal diagnostics, enabling the development of improved treatment plans and enhanced patient outcomes for vulnerable infants.

This innovation marks a major advancement in neonatal imaging and is anticipated to revolutionize the way healthcare professionals assess newborns. While the Ascent3T has not yet received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial use in the United States, the company hopes to apply for FDA 510(k) clearance soon, thus enabling healthcare providers and neonatal patients to take advantage of this technology.

“The Ascent3T brings an unprecedented level of MR imaging and access to our smallest patients,” said MR physicist Charles Dumoulin, Ph.D., founder and CTO of Eyas who conceived the system. “By reinventing MRI technology, doctors can now visualize and understand neonatal health conditions using state-of-the-art MR imaging tailored to infants. It is a tremendous opportunity for better-informed medical decisions and improved neonatal care.” 

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