The SAHMRI-based Clinical Research Imaging Centre (CRIC) will be home to one of the world’s first MAGNETOM Cima.X magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners.

The CRIC is a partnership between Jones Radiology and SAHMRI which recently installed Australia’s first NAEOTOM Alpha – the world’s most advanced photon counting computed tomography scanner. The centre delivers open access state-of-the-art imaging services for clinical and research purposes.

Dr Andrew Dwyer, a Partner Radiologist with Jones Radiology and the Head of Imaging at SAHMRI, says the MAGNETOM Cima.X, developed by Siemens Healthineers, is the strongest 3T Clinical MRI the world has ever seen.

“The unprecedented power of the MAGNETOM Cima.X will help us obtain deeper insights into the human body and better enable research into key disease processes by combing scientific advancement with high end clinical care that will make a difference,” he said.

“Quite apart from its clinical applications, in the research space at SAHMRI this machine provides the capability to push research and ultimately diagnosis into new territory that was limited previously by key physics barriers inherent in previous generation MRIs.”

Siemens Healthineers unveiled the MAGNETOM Cima.X at a global event in the US in November last year.

Michael Shaw, the Managing Director at Siemens Healthineers, says this latest generation MRI is more than twice as powerful as any other clinical MRI system.

“This will also leverage game-changing deep learning image reconstruction technology called Deep Resolve,” he said.

“Deep Resolve offers incredibly signal-rich super resolution images in much faster scan times than conventional scanners can.

“The Cima.X will also be one of the first MR systems to showcase a new collaborative ‘Open Reconstruction Platform’ that will help boost translational research by seamlessly enabling international and national collaborations with research partners.”

The Cima.X is built on Siemens Healthineers’ successful BioMatrix technology that readily adapts to the variability and challenges often associated with patients undergoing MR scans. Ultimately BioMatrix means better image quality and higher diagnostic accuracy across the wider patient population, regardless of their capabilities and condition.

Jones Radiology CEO, Prof Susan O’Neill, says her organisation is committed to being SA’s preferred destination for specialised radiology.

“We are excited about the unlimited research opportunities that the MAGNETOM Cima.X will provide while having immediate impact on the lives of patients and providing our referrers with a clearer picture,” she said.

Securing the MAGNETOM and the NAEOTOM scanners has been a $9.8m collaborative project between Siemens Healthineers, Jones Radiology, the National Imaging Facility (NIF) and SAHMRI, with a crucial $1m co-investment from South Australia’s Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.

The Department’s Minister, the Hon Susan Close, says this world-first equipment will give clinicians the tools to diagnose with more confidence and insight.

“As well as the obvious clinical benefits, this new MRI will see SAHMRI continue to lead the nation in innovative medical research by opening up countless opportunities for researchers and clinicians here in South Australia.

“The South Australian Government is proud to continue its support for SAHMRI and the incredible staff working and undertaking research there.”

SAHMRI’s Executive Director, Professor Steve Wesselingh, says the Department’s investment is a significant demonstration of his institute’s contribution to South Australia.

“SAHMRI is inextricably linked with health, and rightly so because improving health and health care for all is our mission,” he said.

“But, just as importantly, SAHMRI is a major driver of innovation in this state, and is a key player in the biomed sector that is delivering broad benefits economically as well as in healthcare.”

The MAGNETOM Cima.X is supported by a $1m investment from the NIF under Commonwealth Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and represents the latest addition to the NIF's world-class imaging capabilities. The NIF is providing open access to flagship research imaging equipment and expertise as part of its commitment to unlock solutions to the world's biggest imaging challenges across commercial, clinical and research fields.

The Cima.X expected to be installed at the CRIC around the middle of this year.