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Theoretical and computational methods for optimising the design of gradient and shim coils with arbitrary shapes and topologies were developed in collaboration with Magnex Scientific as part of a CASE award (2004-07). The resulting software was licenced to Agilent (who now own Magnex Scientific), for whom it has opened up new market opportunities in the supply of novel magnetic resonance imaging systems, leading to £3.4M sales since 2009. The software has also been used by Paramed Medical Systems to improve their `open' magnetic resonance imaging systems, which are optimised for orthopaedic imaging, allow vertical subject posture, and facilitate image-guided treatment, as well as offering a better patient experience. Our work has thus resulted in impact in the economy and healthcare.
New methods to study the biophysical action of the human digestive system were developed in Nottingham using high speed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and have been used by: (i) the food and drug industry (Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Reckitt Benckiser, Glaxo and McNeil Pharmaceuticals) to develop new products; (ii) Plant Bioscience Limited (PBL) to develop an artificial Dynamic Gut Model (DGM) which is now being applied commercially to characterise drug and food ingestion; (iii) the BBC and other media agencies in programmes related to the promotion of better understanding of nutrition in an effort to combat obesity.
The FLAIR (Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) MRI sequence developed at Imperial College has transformed the sensitivity of clinical neuroimaging for white matter brain lesions. FLAIR has had significant commercial impact with incorporation as a standard imaging sequence offered by all manufacturers on their MRI scanners. The inclusion of FLAIR in routine diagnostic MRI protocols in radiology centres worldwide provides evidence of the continued extensive reach of impact for better healthcare outcomes through improved diagnosis and management. The use of FLAIR has led to more powerful Phase II trial designs for development of medicine for stroke, neuroinflammatory disorders, epilepsy and neuro-oncology based on imaging outcomes.
Reduction of unpleasant ambient noise during MRI has been enabled through innovative engineering solutions developed at the Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research (MRC IHR). Intellectual property was licensed to Optoacoustics Ltd and the resulting OptoActive™ active noise-cancelling headphones for MRI are the only one of their type commercially available, enabling free conversation between patients and clinicians. The product was formally launched in September 2012 and has worldwide sales including in the USA, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Our research on the physiological effects of the electromagnetic fields generated in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used by: (i) the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) in establishing advisory limits and action values in their published regulatory guidelines; (ii) the EU Commission as part of the evidential basis in their decision to derogate MRI from the scope of the Physical Agents Directive 2004/40/EC. These decisions have enabled the continued operation of MR scanners across Europe, safeguarding the access to MRI for 500 million people. The economic benefits arising from the manufacture of MRI equipment were also secured. Our work has thus resulted in impact on public policy, the economy and healthcare.
Groundbreaking UCL research and development of magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications led to the introduction in 2012 of the world's first licensed nanoparticulate injectable medical device, the Sienna+ tracer, and its associated detection system, the SentiMag. A UCL spinout company, Endomagnetics Ltd., has introduced this new technology to better diagnose and treat cancer without the need for invasive surgery. The system uses magnetic materials, rather than radioisotopes, to locate the sentinel lymph nodes that are the key indicators of the spread of cancer away from the primary tumour site. As well as improving patient outcomes, the system considerably improves hospital workflow and efficiency since, unlike radioisotopes, the injectable magnetic tracer (Sienna+) is readily available and requires no special handling
Professor Alexander's work on diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modelling and processing has had significant and lasting impact on medical practice. In particular, neurosurgical support systems rely on his work to map the major connection pathways in the brain, helping the surgeons avoid damaging them during intervention. Specific examples are in epilepsy, where, since 2010, surgeons perform about one operation per week using these systems, and brain tumour resection, where surgeons in Milan have since early 2013 been using a similar system based on UCL's latest microstructure imaging techniques. The key impact is on patients, whose likelihood of permanent post-operative deficits in, for example, visual, verbal or motor skills, is significantly reduced.
Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are two of the most powerful clinical imaging tools. They provide complementary information that is used in the diagnosis of many diseases and in assessing the effect of current and new therapies. Researchers at King's College London, in an international collaboration, demonstrated for the first time the simultaneous acquisition of PET and MR data and the application of the technique in preclinical models. Simultaneous PET-MR systems significantly improve the quality of patient care by allowing both PET and MR examinations to be performed in a single scanning session and by reducing radiation exposure by a factor of two. This pioneering work has led to clinical whole body simultaneous PET-MR systems recently becoming commercially available and there are currently around 40 PET-MR scanners installed in clinical/research institutions worldwide.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disease of young adults in the UK, affecting 1 in 800 of the population. In most patients the early years are characterised by relapse and remissions; relapses are often disabling and permanent disability occurs when remissions fail to recover fully. Research at the UCL Institute of Neurology — from early MRI studies through phase 1-3 clinical trials — has resulted in the licensing of natalizumab for highly active relapsing remitting MS. Natalizumab is now widely used to treat such patients with very good efficacy and close monitoring. Natalizumab is a potent treatment that has reduced relapse rate by two-thirds and relapse-related disability by 50%. By July 2013, over 115,000 patients around the world had received this treatment.
Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) have revolutionised the practice of medicine by providing improved diagnostic accuracy resulting in improved clinical management and outcome. The evidence-based medicine approach developed by Professor Dixon and his team contributed to the timely evaluation of these technologies. Several of his studies proved improved outcome measures, including reduced mortality, shorter in-patient stay and enhanced diagnostic confidence. Examples include: CT of patients with acute abdominal problems and possible large bowel disease; CT for suspected pulmonary embolism; MRI for lumbar spine disease; MRI for knee and shoulder problems. These informed radiological guidelines adopted across Europe.