Core for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Facilities and Equipment

CAMRI Facilities and Equipment

State-Of-The-Art Equipment

Advanced technology and magnetic resonance compatible peripheral equipment allow researchers to study delicate neurological systems.

Project Support and Technology

The Core for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CAMRI) is to supports biomedical research projects that use MRI to further our understanding of anatomy, function and physiology. The core offers MRI technologies to the Houston and surrounding research communities. We educate and train the community on the use of these technologies and support the efficient use of the core's resources.

Major Equipment

Siemens MRI Scanners - 3 Tesla

  • Scanner 3T-4 is a 64-channel system (Prisma Fit) with 20-Ch, 32-CH and 64-Channel head coils
  • Scanner 3T-5 is a 64-channel system (Prisma Fit) with 20-Ch, and 64-Ch head coils
  • Full neurological scanning software including BOLD, DTI and MRS (E11E software versions)
  • Siemens Master Research Agreement in place with generalized brain-imaging research addendum
  • Siemens C2P exchange and collaboration agreements in place with UMinn, MGH, CMRR and UCLA to provide access to multiband and pCASL WIP sequences
  • Spiral fMRI sequences developed in collaboration between Siemens and the PI
  • Dual-network cards to facilitate real-time fMRI

Stimulation and Response Equipment

  • Behavioral response: 2-button, 4-button, 5-button and 8-button optical response pads (Current Designs, Inc.)
  • Custom foot pedal with 2 pedals, trackball response device, bi-manual grip force device and Tethyx joystick with USB, serial, and TTL output (Current Designs, Inc.)
  • MRI-Compatible 32" BOLDscreen with LCD Display (Cambridge Research Systems [CRS]) in both scanners.
  • Eye-tracking system (all MR-compatible): 1) LiveTrack (CRS) system on 2 scanners; 2) Goggles based system on one scanner.
  • DC Stimulator (MR-compatible) from Jali Medical
  • Magstim Standard Rapid TMS system w/ MRI coil (Jali Medical)
  • MRI Fiber Optic Microphone and Noise Cancelling headphones (Optoacoustics)
  • Corrective lenses for use with video stimulation: MR-compatible frames with insertable polycarbonate lenses (prescriptions range from -8.00 to +8.00) (Solo Bambini)
  • Gustatory stimulation: dual-syringe pump (Harvard Apparatus HA33)
  • Audio stimulation: dynamic and piezoelectric headphones (MR Confon, GmbH)

Computational Infrastructure

  • 10 Gbps Ethernet LAN
  • 54 Mbit/s secure wireless network
  • Data center with 2-rack capacity
  • File server, 9TB RAID disk storage with direct interface to scanners
  • All workstations feature MATLAB with all toolboxes, SPM2, AFNI, FSL, MRIcro, xjView, R, and SAS.