Clinical Research Imaging Facility (CRIF)

About

Tayside Medical Science Centre (TASC), a collaboration between the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside, fully integrates CRIF with NHS facilities in terms of governance and technical staff, providing an effective operational framework for safe clinical practice  improving the coordination of existing resources and enhancing collaboration between researchers from all clinical areas and industry partnerships.

The Clinical Research Imaging Facility (CRIF) is a set of purpose-built research imaging suites within the Clinical Research Centre building at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. The facility is unique in that its design permits the technology to be used not only for diagnostic imaging but also to develop interventional therapies using image-guidance.

CRIF staff and facilities

CRIF hosts an array of advanced technology including a PET-CT scanner, 3T MRI scanner and a 128-slice CT scanner and is staffed with NHS trained personnel, supported by specialist clinicians, radiographers, medical physicists and administrative support.

The area also includes a space for pharmaceutical preparation, patient changing areas and a dedicated image analysis area, capable of supporting up to 10 people.

CRIF is fully equipped for anaesthetic procedures with dedicated anaesthetic and patient recovery areas along with MRI compatible patient monitoring equipment.

CT

The focus of our GE Revolution EVO CT scanner is diagnostic and interventional therapies providing opportunities to participate in ground-breaking interventional research and provide diagnostic imaging including cardiac and coronary CT. The state-of-the-art CT scanner will ensure that CRIF continues to meet the future needs of researchers and the close partnership between the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside has extended the use of these scanners from which all patients will benefit.

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a technique which produces non-invasive images using a high magnetic field, without the use of ionizing radiation. Our Siemens 3T Magnetom PrismFit MRI scanner uses a magnetic field twice as strong as many existing scanners, enabling the production of higher resolution images in a shorter time.

This scanner, with whole-body capability, supports a range of advanced clinical and research studies, involving cardiovascular, neurological imaging Including functional MRI (fMRI) based projects in collaboration with psychologists, psychiatrists and neurosurgeons and also provides assistance to the NHS service when required.

PET-CT

Positron emission tomography (PET) with FDG is a non-invasive nuclear medicine imaging procedure that uses a form of radioactive glucose to identify abnormalities within the body.

Our GE Discovery MI Digital PET-CT scanner, which was  the first installation in the UK, is a state-of-the-art PET-CT scanner which offers improvements in lesion detection, image quality and patient comfort

The 128-slice Computerised Tomography (CT) scanner incorporated into the system allows any abnormalities identified to be accurately located in the organs involved.

This technique is particularly useful in the diagnosis of patients suspected of having certain forms of cancer. In addition to cancer, it can be used for research for patients with cardiovascular disease and diseases affecting the brain.

This area has dedicated space for pharmaceutical preparation, patient treatment bays and an image analysis area.

Interventional capabilities

There has been a long history of image guided treatments in Dundee, from laparoscopic surgery and interventional radiology. CRIF has been devised to allow patients to have access to the latest image-guided treatments either under CT, MRI or Fluoroscopic guidance. The aim of image guidance is to provide less invasive alternatives to open surgery, thereby permitting a more rapid recovery and lower operative risk to patients.

This centre is the first in the world to offer such capability and works closely with other divisions within the University including Imaging & Technology’s Institute for Medical Science and Technology (IMSaT) to develop and evaluate new devices and approaches.

Other imaging

Research dedicated facilities in CRIF are complemented by existing NHS facilities in MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, ultrasound and X-ray: all of these have the capacity to support research, and many have been involved in a variety of projects.