Scaling the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Through Design Research.

The superior soft-tissue contrast and sensitivity for pathologies have made magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a primary modality in medical imaging. At present, the high initial and running costs, and demanding requirements for siting and operating personnel limit its availability to large hospitals and imaging clinics. Improved accessibility of MRI technology can lead into new healthcare services. To study this, we set up the Accessible Magnetic Resonance Imaging (AMRI) research platform, including a multidisciplinary research team and a very low field MRI device for evaluation of new service solutions. We explored the expected value of accessibility in point-of-care contexts, achieving validation and improved focus for initial need-descriptions for the solution. Our design research points towards the potential of a more accessible MRI in improving healthcare provision, and that ever-prevalent medical imaging healthcare services could cause systemic changes to the healthcare processes, technologies, and operating environments.