Cylindrical and Spherical Magphans®

Precise, Comprehensive Testing of MRI Scanners

Magphan® Phantoms are designed to perform a wide range of precision performance evaluations of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanners.

The design criteria for the Magphan® phantoms are based on physicist, Dr. David Goodenough's extensive experience with MRI system evaluation and his well documented research into the quantification of image system performance tests. The test objects that make up the current Magphan® models embody two decades of scientific evaluation and field experience.

The Magphan®'s patented spherical design combines precise alignment of spherical geometry with cubic geometry. As magnetic field characteristics are mapped according to spherical harmonics, natural magnetic fields extend to diagonally symmetric volumes (DSVs), or spheres. This symmetry is the reason the AAPM Task Group's Report number 6a, titled "Acceptance Testing of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Systems," stated, "The sperical shape is recommended for reasons of symmetry." Imaging performance is evaluated in the transaxial, coronal, sagittal and oblique planes by rotating the sphere.

The Magphan® is also available with a conventional cylindrical housing for test groups and manufacturers who prefer the conventional cylindrical shaped phantoms.

Spherical Magphan® (SMR100) is a urethane sphere composed of two hemispherical shells with an inner diameter of 20cm.

 The shells are connected with a simple threaded flange connecting ring. The test cube assembly can be quickly removed without tools for greater imaging flexibility and easy access for cleaning and maintenance.

Cylindrical Magphan® (SMR170) has a removable end plate for internal access. The acrylic cylinder has an outer diameter of 20cm and an inner diameter of 19cm.

Tests - Summary

spatial uniformity
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
spherical geometry

 
in-vitro sample testing
geometric distortion (spatial linearity)
pixel (matrix) size verification
scan slice width and contiguity
verification of patient alignment system
spatial resolution up to 11 line pairs per cm (0.45mm resolution)
low contrast sensitivity
T1 and T2 measurements
evaluation of 3-dimensional volume reconstruction

 
Stock # Description  
SMR100 Magphan® 100 including 20cm spherical housing,
10cm test cube and case  
SMR140 Magphan® 140 - 10cm sphere with support disk  
SMR170 Magphan® 170 including 20cm cylindrical housing,
10cm test cube and case  
SMR172 Magphan® 172 including 20cm spherical housing,
20cm cylindrical housing, 10cm test cube and cases.