DRAFT...How2-do-an-fMRI-scan: More Info., UCLA 3T MRI Lab

DRAFT: 8-20-98
This is an AMPLIFIED description of how-to acquire 3T MRI scan data.

1. Log into the fMRI logger on the Instascan terminal

If Netscape isn't running, you can pull it up by holding down on any patch of patterned background with the right mouse button depressed and selecte the Netscape logger (alternatively, if you see a Netscape icon on the icon set at the bottom of the screen, it is defaulted to pull up the logger).

A. Enter your password in the logger
B. Enter the study number
(To choose the study number, review the recently acquired exams (on the right half of the Signa screen) and increment by one). C. Enter the Signa ID (your choice, but by convention should identify whose scan (e.g., your initials) and the subject identity e.g., RW-Subject_name)
D. Select items from the other menus appropriately
E. Push "Submit form" at the bottom
F. If you get an error, use Back-up in Netscape to avoid having to retype everything (may have to hit it twice)

2. Consent AND SCREEN the subject with the MRI screening form: (this could, and often should be done before arrival in the lab) and leave a signed copy of the STRUCTURAL & FUNCTIONAL MRI form in the lab (note: this signature is IN ADDITION to any HSPC froms that mat be specific to your project). [more info.]

-----A. Make sure the subject has completed the metal screen form (with special attention to the questions re: any Hx of having gotten any small fragments of metal in their eyes and attention that all earrings should be removed and all HOOP TYPE earrings/body piercings MUST be removed).
-----B. Have ALL subjects read and sign (in BOTH places) the STRUCTURAL & FUNCTIONAL MRI consent form (HSPC#97-01-007-02, note: if you wish to retain a copy of the signed MRI consent form for your records as well, have the patient sign 2 copies)
-----C. Note that ANYONE that goes into the magnet for any reason (e.g., sequence tests on volunteers AND/OR any tests on a human to see if a piece of equipment fits, any time a human enters the bore of the magnet even if no images are acquired)
-----D. Leave the MRI consent form in the lab (for signature by one of the MRI PI's) and leave the metal screen form in the lab as well.
-----E. Have the patient read and sign any additional HSPC forms that may be particular to your protocol (in addition to ALWAYS having everyone that goes into the magnet sign a separate MRI consent form to be left in the lab.

3. Make sure the following windows are available on the instascan console:
Shim
Autoshim
APD II
These can also be pulled up from the colored background as describe for the logger above

4. Select [New Exam] on the Signa console, you must fill out the sign-in screen BEFORE you can place a subject in the scanner.

(note: if you place the subject in the scanner first and THEN come out to the console and hit [new exam], the Signa will require that you remove the subject and re-landmark them before you can continue).

A. Choose New Exam (If the New Exam menu is not present on the left, hit "Cancel" )
B. Required fields:
-----Signa ID (same as above for logger)
-----Name (of subject)
-----Sex
-----Age
-----Weight
-----Description (something other people will understand)
C. Press "Accept"

5 . You can now position the subject in the scanner
Consent the subject if you haven't already
Make sure metal screen
Position subject with their shoulders just touching the head cradle
Headphones or ear plugs (hanging on the scanner)
Lateral padding to reduce movement (may be in pt. comfort cabinet)
Emergency escape bulb (black bulb hanging on the scanner)
Goggles (sitting on the counter)
Microswitches (in the tall wooden cabinet beyond the counter's end)
Position the subject (before goggles)
Press "Align On" on the scanner itself
Move using "Fast in", "Slow out", et al.
Move in or out to put light beam cross just above brow
Rotate head as needed
Mark position (Press "Landmark")
Put goggles on
Slide cage down over subject's face
Press "Advance to scan"

6. Confirm that the subject is comfortable (e.g., not claustrophobic) and can communicate with you

A---Microphone to talk to subject has an off-on switch (Away turns it off, and towards you turns it on)

B---Volume control to subject is on top of Signa console Radiobuttons control input (radio, stereo, VCR, Mac)

C--- Off-on switch for goggles is in the computer room next door

D---Red button on top of the little white box on top of the Signa console turns off the subject 'emergency' alarm

7. Run a quick 'scout' scan to check for unanticipated metal in/on the subject

A--- Press [new series] on Signa console, then press [list/select protocol]

B--- A list of pre-programmed protocols will come up --- to run a scout, touch line #1 'QuickDirty.10sec.Scout'---(FYI...a protocol can contain several series, and each series can contain several specific scans)

C--- Press [view protocol] and touch either the Sag., or Axial, or Coronal scan line to select the one you need

D--- Run the scan and review imahes for unexpected areas of 'metallic' signal loss

9. Run a SHIM scan to 'tune' the ANMR system to that particular subject's body size/shape

Signa:
List/Select protocol
Pick #12: isshim
Should default to an axial protocol (2nd line in 1st protocol)
Press "Review Screen" to verify R/L is selected
Autoprescan
May have to hit cancel on right side of screen to clear prior displayed image if you get error message about "looping failed to start"
Manual prescan
Move peak to 4th of 5 vertical lines by typing e.g., "-20 Enter" on keyboard
DO NOT HIT CANCEL
Push Backup button
Shim window:
Toggle auto<-> manual until Autoshim window appears
Autoshim window:
Check data path (may need to reset to disk of day, taped to top of monitor)
APDII window
Verify that APDII is set to store data on same disk as shim:
MENU File:Open database
Disk will be listed for verification
Scan set up
Wait until cued
Signa:
Scan
Wait for scan to reconstruct (viewable in the APD II window)
Autoshim:
Display/Analyze
Want line width <20 to30(<15 is best possible)
Accept and Done (NOT OPTIONAL)

LIST OF RESEARCH PROTOCOLS

(ONLY Dr. Marco Iacoboni has written his protocol down so far... SHOULDN'T YOU DO SO TOO???)

Spatial compatibility protocol: Dr. Marco Iacoboni

1. Acquire co-planar "high resolution" scan
Signa:
Cancel
New Series
List/Sel protocol
27. Marco's SRC (2nd page) (or whatever protocol you use)
Axial co-planar resolution (or whatever one you want)
Scanning range:
Position cursor at bottom
Start
Roll cursor to other extreme
End
Use erase slice or adjust as needed
(Adjust moves the whole grid upward)
Make sure vertical line is centered on head to avoid wraparound (track ball)
Save screen
Review screen
Acquisition time (48 seconds should be displayed if you choose 26 slices)
Make sure you're using 4 NEX protocol to avoid 1 NEX stripes
Frequency
R/L to avoid shocking subject
Scan Ops
Autoprescan
Manual prescan
Backup
APDII
Scan set up
Wait for cue
Inform subject of impending din
Signa:
Scan

2. Acquire functional data
Signa:
Cancel
New series
View protocol (if next scan has been precanned, otherwise List/Select)
Choose appropriate scan (e.g.,7 Axial functional)
User CV's
Pick proper values
Scanning range (if functional has fewer slices than prescription)
Fall back
Select slices on sagittal as before
Review Screen
Frequency R/L
Scan ops
Autoprescan
Manual prescan
APD II:
Scan setup
Wait for cue
Signa:
TURN OFF MICROPHONE!!!!!
Scan
Coordinate scan start with stimulus
Note: 4X TR (about 10 seconds) of scan time is not protocol time


X. Log out of the scanner using the fMRI logger

XI. Liberate subject
Fast out (back to landmark let's you reinsert them without remarking)
Put everything away where it came from

Trouble shooting

Aborting a functional study:
Press "Stop scan" a plastic button
APDII: "Stop acquisition"
Cope with error messages
Scan setup
Wait for cue
Signa:
Scan


If you get message: "Looping failed to start" Press cancel on the right side of the screen


From original by: Roger Woods and Nancy Sicotte 7/7/98

Edited&posted to how2 page 7/7/98, R. Lee