It’s been a bit dusty lately in Seattle’s Metrix Create:Space. That’s because they’ve taken on their biggest project yet — a full scale replica of an MRI machine for university research.
[Tom Grabowski], a professor of Radiology & Neurology at the University of Washington, needed a replica MRI machine. This is because time on real MRI machines is very expensive, and when performing research on Autism, it is important to get the test subjects used to the process before using the real deal. He originally turned to the Center for Human Development and Disability, also at the University of Washington, but the project was just simply too big for their facilities. He did however get to meet a fellow researcher named [Fritz] who then contacted Metrix to see if it was possible, and like any good hackers, the members of the space were more than up for the challenge.
The replica MRI machine is made out 2″ thick, 4′ by 8′ foam insulation sheets, which is the maximum size their router can handle. Not having made use of the 3D z-cutting capabilities before, they had a bit of learning to do, but as you can see from the pictures, it worked out quite well. Over a few weeks they were able to construct the general shape of the MRI machine, and finish the surface nicely — it’s far from complete though, as they might even be adding lights and other features to make it one heck of a replica. It’s a great project, and those who have helped are happy to do so as the replica will benefit not only [Tom] but many other researchers at UW — for science, yeah!
Wouldn’t the original MRI supplier be kind enough to supply only the plastic shell part for a decent price?
So does this make the same noises a real MRI machine does?
Yea, because that is probably the most disconcerting part of an MRI.
Or you could just use one of the commercially available MRI simulators with moving parts and the correct sound effects.
A kid freaking out and damaging the simulator could cost a whole lot to repair/replace if it were a commercially available one, but the foam one they could just get the original makers to CNC new pieces. Plus as it’s made of foam the kid may not hurt themselves as much as a plastic molded version.
We use one of the commercially available simulators for this exact purpose, it would have to be an immensely strong child to do any damage to our mock MRI.
Nice set piece Hope these people are involved with theater productions too!
any ideas for emulating that hard clatter?
I don’t imagine a chessy pc speaker set will match the stim triggers
the the real hardware probably
raises for the intended guests.
perhaps some old heavy solenoids
and alarm buzzers (not bells)
and some 3/8 & 5/8 plates
affixed to some manor of wooden
framework embedde.
into the facade.
Might be a bit late with my thought though.
But Good luck with it guys,
I hope it does the trick.
Nice piece of poetry ;)
Just having strange punctuation and line feed it doesn’t make it poetry :P
Tell that to e.e.cummings
OOOOOOHHHH!
That is so awesome especially because I am a UW student
Of course if they were by a boat builder they could have did it the real way. This is a tiny hull machine
http://standoutonline.ca/~marinepl/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CNC-Cutting-boat-hull.gif
Bahh. stream of thought typing
whilst acquiescing to spell check,
bites me in the keister again.
…should have written 3/8 & 5/8 steel plates.
interesting how no comments were visible when I started typing and then
viola.
and it’s still like typing on an adding machine, in this little box.
You guys swipe,~ errh ah uhm
cough, license the template from the
“end-user license agreement” box people?
Not sure if you have ever seen this but GE did some amazing work to make kids feel more comfortable with MRI’s…watch the video it will really impact you….unless of course your heart is made of stone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMGoKDA0UXw
http://youtu.be/jajduxPD6H4