A Better Brain Scanner

A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device that fits the subject’s head like a helmet could speed up brain scans and improve their resolution. Where a conventional MRI machine might have 12 detection coils, the new system instead uses 32 small coils that are closer to the head, yielding a clearer signal. The system can produce more-accurate maps of vital brain areas, so doctors can avoid them during surgery. Eventually, it might also distinguish different types of tumors, aiding treatment decisions.

Credit: Courtesy of Lawrence Wald