Portable MRI Scans Patients for Signs of Stroke

According to the World Health Organization, strokes are the second most common cause of death worldwide. Of the 15 million patients annually, one-third die and another third are left with permanent disabilities. A new design for a portable MRI scanner has the potential to make a major impact on those numbers. Medical imaging is essential in diagnosing a stroke. Strokes have two major causes, and the difference is critical. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage of blood vessels in the brain, and account for about nine out of 10 cases. Hemorrhagic strokes are the result of bleeding in the brain. Choosing the wrong treatment can be damaging, or even fatal. A better imaging device could result in faster diagnoses. Many medical facilities—even in developed nations—lack MRI scanners and other sophisticated imaging equipment. This can delay a diagnosis past the “golden hour”—the first hour of a stroke, when treatment can be most effective. Delay increases the chance of brain-tissue dama ... Read full article.