August 11, 2008 - Problem report and billing adjustment

The PI and the designated Operator are responsible for reporting any technical problems through the CFMRI Webschedule web page when they occur. Even if you are able to obtain direct help with the problem from someone in the Center, we still ask that you report the problem and how it was fixed. This will benefit everyone and provide us with a better record of how often problems occur. In addition, billing adjustment to reimburse for time lost due to scanner problems is contingent on a report being filed within 72 hours after the problem occurs. Additional details will be provided in an updated policies document that will be posted on the CFMRI website in the next week or two.

August 11, 2008 - Normal Mode vs. First Level Mode

After the Patient ID is entered, the "dB/dt and SAR Limits" window appears. Please make sure to click on the left button ("Accept") to enter the First Level mode. If you inadvertently click on the right button ("Normal Mode"), you will be operating in the Normal Mode and may encounter errors in loading protocols that work fine otherwise. Typical errors include invalid slice thickness, TE, FOV or number of slices. This is because user protocols are usually created under the First Level Mode which allows for shorter TR/TE and thinner slices than the Normal Mode.  Therefore it is important to select First Level Mode to ensure a successful scan session.

Below is a brief explanation to help you understand the differences between the different modes: dB/dt and SAR are very important MRI safety limits. dB/dt measures how fast the magnetic gradient field changes. Because changing magnetic fields can induce electrical currents, fast dB/dt is often associated with peripheral nerve stimulation (e.g. muscle twitching). SAR measures the amount of radio frequency deposition per unit mass of the patient. It is typically manifested as heating of the body tissue. There are currently three levels of limits (corresponding to the three Modes) on the 3Ts:

_ Normal Mode: Normal Mode is the most conservative mode, it limits the SAR and dB/dt to a level that all persons, regardless of health status, should be able to tolerate.

_First Level Mode: First Level Mode is the typical selection. In most cases, First Level allows for the shortest TE and TR values resulting in optimum image quality and number of slices per acquisition. Therefore, First Level Mode is almost always recommended, especially for research purposes.

_ Second Level Mode: Second Level is password protected. It requires approval by Center director and university IRB, and is not recommended at this time.

April 8, 2008 - Updated Safety Policies

We have recently updated the Center’s safety policies, especially with regards to the scanning of children and other subjects who may require additional attention.  Copies of the supplementary safety guidelines are available at one of the following links: http://cfmriweb.ucsd.edu/info/safety.html, http://cfmriweb.ucsd.edu/info/policies.html, and  http://cfmriweb.ucsd.edu/event/safetylectures.html. 

Please take a moment to read over these policies. Principal Investigators should discuss these policies with their groups and make sure that their groups are in compliance with the updated policies. 

April 8, 2008 - Training Session for Pediatric Scanning

Operators and investigators who are involved with pediatric scanning will be asked to attend an additional training session focused on the issues particular to the scanning of children. Notifications for these training sessions will be sent out over the next month.

April 8, 2008 - Emergency Call Lists

Emergency Call Lists are now posted in each of the console rooms.  Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these call lists during your next scan session.

April 8, 2008 - Audits

To help ensure that all researchers are in compliance with the Center’s safety policies, staff members from the Center will occasionally audit scan sessions.  Unscheduled usage of the scanner poses a safety risk, especially after hours. To address this risk, scanner usage will be regularly audited to verify compliance with the webschedule.

Mar 20, 2008 - Touchpad locks installed on the console room doors

For safety purposes, the Center has installed touchpad locks on both the 3Tw and 3Te console room doors. We will send out security codes by the end of today to PIs who have active projects at the Center (one code per PI). The codes will go into effect on Monday (March 24, 2008). Make sure to contact your PI a.s.a.p. if you need access to the console room. The code must not be shared outside your group. We reserve the right to remove any security code if signs of abuse are indicated. Please contact Linda di Leo (ldileo@ucsd.edu) for problems related to the touchpad locks.

Mar 20, 2008 - Online problem report: a two way portal

Do you know that the online problem report system actually serves as a two-way portal between fMRI users and the Center? Users can use the system to report problems related to the MRI scanner and peripheral equipment. The Center uses the system to send important updates, such as changes in scanner status or availability of the peripheral equipment. Therefore, it is important to check the online problem report regularly before an upcoming scan session. Pay attention to the entries that have an “open” or “in progress” status. Will they pose a problem for your study? Do you need to reschedule the study or contact the Center for more information? If a problem report has not yet been updated by one of the Center personnel and you are not sure if it will affect your upcoming study, it is recommended that you check with one of the Center’s technical staff members for more information before changing your plans.

There are two ways to access the online problem report for scanner updates:

1. After you log into the web scheduler, scroll down to the bottom of screen. You will see a table listing all outstanding problems (if there are any). You can click on a problem entry to obtain more details; or
2. After you log into the web scheduler, click on the problem report menu on the top of the screen, and then click Check Status Log. This will give you a list of not only the currently existing problems, but also a history of all previously reported problems.

Mar 20, 2008 - Maximum of 5 people allowed in the console room

To ensure the safety of personnel and equipment, a maximum of 5 people including the operator(s) are permitted in the console room at a time. In the event of a tour or a class when a group of more than 5 is needed in the console room, please coordinate with Linda di Leo (ldileo@ucsd.edu) prior to the event. Additionally, at least TWO Center certified operators must be present with the group during the event or whenever there more than 5 people are present in the console room. If you have trouble finding a second certified operator, please indicate to Linda when contacting her. Note that even when more than one certified operator is present, one operator should always be designated as the primary operator (and assumes responsibility for safety during the scan session).

Mar 20, 2008 - ppge4 updated to handle ASSET

A new version of ppge4 is now available. The new ppge4 is capable of handling fMRI data acquired with the “ASSET” option and is backward compatible with the old ppge4. There is no change in usage. You can download the new program from the CFMRI website ->How TO-> Advanced Topics -> Field Mapping (http://cfmriweb.ucsd.edu/howtos/fieldmap.shtml)