If you don’t like being in enclosed spaces but need to have medical tests performed so that the doctor can determine what is going on in the body, then you might want to consider talking to the doctor about an open MRI. There are numerous benefits to this type of design compared to a closed MRI, and it often results in better views of the body for the doctor. An open MRI New Jersey offices and hospitals use features a large ring that circles around a table. There are also a few designs that feature an open ring that the patient will pass through, but there isn’t an enclosed tube as there is with a closed design. When you’re in an enclosed MRI, there is a higher possibility of becoming claustrophobic because there are few lights and loud sounds from the machine. Some patients might begin to have trouble breathing or feel like they aren’t able to move around in the machine.
There are two magnets with the open MRI design. One is above you while the other is below. There is enough space between the magnets so that there aren’t as many issues with claustrophobia. When the machine is on, the magnets will move around you while you’re on a long table. You aren’t in any kind of tube, which makes it a comfortable exam to complete. The open design allows for hearing the instructions given by the technician. It also allows you to move easier if you need to put the arms over your head or change positions at times during the scan.
The open design is a better option for those who are obese and aren’t able to fit comfortably inside the enclosed tube. It also benefits those who are older and aren’t able to move around as easily as other patients to get onto the table or who might not understand what is taking place with the scan. Children often feel more at ease because the open design allows for a parent to remain in the room with the child or even on the table with the child to calm any fears that are present.
