What is the difference between high field and low field scanners ?
High field scanners operate at a stronger magnetic field than low field scanners. The stronger field produces a stronger signal, so high field scanners can produce higher resolution pictures in a shorter time than low field scanners. Both high field and low field scanners have been used in human clinical medicine for many years. Low field scanners have been used for “Open MRI” because they are less claustrophobic. Both have a niche in clincal imaging. High field scanners: • are tubular in shape, whereas low field scanners are ‘C’ or ‘U’ shaped. Getting the horse into the tube requires general anesthesia, with the associated costs and risks.
