Breakthrough in MRI scanning gives hope for faster stroke diagnosis

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, with more than 100 million people having experienced it, according to the World Stroke Organization.

One of the ways to diagnose a stroke is through a medical imaging device. Strokes are classified into two main categories. Ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, is caused by a blockage of blood vessels in the brain. And then there’s a hemorrhagic stroke, which causes bleeding in or around the brain.

Since these types of strokes require different treatments, one crucial step in such situations is to get the correct diagnosis as soon as possible. This is where better medical imaging devices come in.

It’s been reported that some medical facilities lack MRI scanners or other advanced equipment that would allow for quicker diagnosis. When it comes to such brain attacks, the timing is extremely important, as any delays can cause brain-tissue damage.

The current situation shows that even with an MRI machine present, patients still have to be transported from the emergency room to facilities where they can undergo a scan and then be admitted for treatment.

Considering this time-consuming procedure, scientists from Wellumio, a medical technology company, have devised a solution.

Wellumio created Axana, a portable MRI scanner that can be used “anywhere in the facility.” The device is big enough to scan a patient’s head and is simply controlled via a touchscreen interface.

It’s been reported that while the device uses the same sensors as conventional MRI machines, it provides signals differently using magnetic fields instead of pulsed gradient electromagnetic coils.

While the device's images are low in resolution, they’re enough to detect signs of ischemic stroke. The company plans to upgrade the device to increase the resolution.

Axana isn’t powered by AI, making the device more reliable and data reading easier.

Another advantage of the new type of MRI scanner is that it’s cheaper to produce compared with traditional MRI scans, which can cost from one to three million dollars.

Axana weighs around 100 kg, and while it isn’t suitable for use in an ambulance, it should easily fit in emergency departments' facilities. Although the device is powered through a wall outlet, it also has a battery and can work when not plugged in.

The device is still considered a prototype and is being tested with patients in Australia at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

For now, Axana can only detect ischemic stroke, but Wellumio plans to extend its use to detect hemorrhagic stroke or even head traumas.