A new generation of full-body ultra-high-field 5.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, dubbed the “human microscope”, was launched at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center on Tuesday.

It signified further advancement in precise diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors, intelligent imaging development, and medical research innovation, promising hope to a broader spectrum of cancer patients.

Doctors explained that the MRI equipment is crucial in early detection and accurate diagnosis of malignant tumors. Compared with other diagnostic tools, MRI boasts higher resolution imaging of soft tissues, offering clear delineation of tumor contours, internal structures, and their relationships with surrounding normal tissues. It serves as a potent ally for clinicians in disease diagnosis and treatment without the harmful risks of ionizing radiation.

Gu Yajia, head of the hospital’s radiology department, said the new 5.0T MRI scanner features an ultra-high magnetic field strength and comes equipped with an ultra-high-performance gradient system. This results in a significant improvement in high spatial resolution imaging, particularly at sub-millimeter levels.

Amid the growing emphasis on precision medicine, the 5.0T MRI scanner is able to provide multimodal data in terms of anatomy, function and metabolism, said Gu.

Coupled with artificial intelligence technologies, including image sampling and image reconstruction, it elevates early diagnosis, precise staging, tumor boundary delineation and quantitative monitoring of tumor biological changes to a new level, she said.