Contact Us
Email: cismri@fiu.edu
MRI Control Room: (305) 348-2089
CIS Reception Area: (305) 348-3213
CIS MRI Location
PG5 Market Station
891 SW 109 Ave, Suite 130
Miami, FL 33199
New MRI projects will be reviewed by the CIS Steering committee. All users must have IRB approval for research projects and must be able to provide an account number for billing purposes (e.g., internal or external grant or other funding mechanism). All projects should include at least one researcher with experience in MRI research experiments who will be responsible for the development, design, and execution of MR imaging acquisition and analysis procedures.
To initiate a new MRI project at the CIS, the PI shall email the Director, Angela Laird, for a preliminary discussion of the project requirements and address any questions or concerns regarding equipment, personnel, or available scan times. Following that discussion, the PI will complete an MRI Project Request Form and submit the project to be reviewed by the CIS Steering Committee. Review criteria will include, in part: securing of IRB approval, feasibility of protocol with the imaging facility, and availability of magnet time.
Our policies and procedures were developed to be consistent with the internationally accepted recommendations from the American College of Radiology. Violations of these policies and procedures will result in a review of the incident or event with the CIS Steering committee, the Principal Investigator, and the responsible individual. Depending on the nature of the violations, the Office of Research Integrity may require an inquiry or investigation. Using MRI systems for research studies requires the adherence to prescribed procedures so that the working environment remains safe. This includes the safe handling of human subjects, personnel, and equipment. Click below for more details.
Facility Policies
The Static Magnetic Field is the main magnetic field of the scanner that is always present once the magnet is ramped up to the designated field strength. This static magnetic field is always on. The most common breaches of MR safety occur due to an object being attracted to the static magnetic field. An individual may be struck, injured or trapped against the magnet by the object. Equipment may be damaged by slamming into the magnet or being struck by another object that is accelerating rapidly due to the strong attraction of the magnetic field.
All personnel, including investigators, employees, and students, who work within the MR environment, must be trained and screened for personal safety prior to entering the magnetic field. To work in the magnetic environment, it is mandatory to complete Level 1 training, complete the written safety test, and participate in an annual renewal. This includes all personnel who are conducting or assisting with MR research studies, as well as the researchers who are recruiting, scheduling, and pre-screening participants for their MR sessions.
The MRI safety training sessions will be held at 1 pm in the CCF-CIS conference room (PG5 126B). Please send Diamela Arencibia an RSVP if you plan to attend. Please allow 3 hours for the training session, which concludes with a short exam. Attendees must receive a score of 80% to pass the safety training course.
First responders should consult the MRI Safety Training for First Responders guide.
Zone 1
The open-air PG5 pedestrian walkway outside of the CIS MR facility and the CIS lobby/waiting room. Zone 1 is freely accessible to the general public.
Zone 2
The interface between public area of Zone 1 and the restricted areas of Zones 3 and 4. Zone 2 includes the CIS mock scanner room, behavioral testing rooms, procedure rooms, a restroom, and the hallway connecting these rooms. Zone 2 is located behind controlled access doors. Individuals who have been granted access to the CIS beyond the reception area must escort visitors and volunteers into other areas of Zone 2.
Zone 3
Restricted area. All visitors and volunteers in Zone 3 must be escorted by authorized personnel at all times while in this zone. Zone 3 contains the MR control area and participant changing area. While this Zone is free from risk, persons in Zone 3 have free, physically unrestricted access to Zone 4, an area that does pose risk. Zone 3 is behind controlled access doors.
Zone 4
Contains the 3T MRI magnet room and equipment room. Zone 4 is a potentially hazardous zone where magnetic fields are greater than 5 gauss. All persons entering Zone 4, including researchers, volunteers, and special visitors must fill out and sign appropriate screening forms. Authorized personnel must accompany all volunteers and visitors into Zone 4.