Having an MRI system within the practice offers four main benefits:

• Powerful diagnostic tool

  MRI is able to identify positive pathology in the majority of previously undiagnosed lameness cases in the distal limb (85% detection rate Mair et al2003).

  It is the modality of choice for soft tissue imaging (eg tendons and ligaments) and provides unrivalled capabilities for detecting bone oedema, sclerosis and hard to detect fractures.

• Patient handling

  The Hallmarq EQ2 is designed for safe and convenient animal handling. For the standing horse it is quick and simple to use as the patient is standing and sedated. This avoids the mortality risk associated with anaesthesia and is much preferred by clients. When required however the magnet can be rotated, allowing easy access to both fore and hind limbs of horses under general anaesthesia.

• Operational

  The user interface software is based on Microsoft Windows® and easily mastered. Comprehensive training is given both on installation and at regular user meetings. On-line support backed up by a team of dedicated field engineers ensures the system continues to offer optimum image quality. No previous experience in MRI is required to operate the system.

• Economics

  For the commercial clinical practice Hallmarq offers a financial package comprising rental, maintenance contract and fee per scan elements. This means the system is affordable at the outset, and will generate income for the practice with realistic caseloads. For non-clinical practices such as universities and private organisations alternative financial arrangements are possible

	EQ2: The Next Generation

• The Hallmarq standing equine MRI system was first developed in 2001-2003 and over 30 systems have been installed since that time.

  On the basis of the clinical experience gained by scanning over 9000 horses, and new innovations by our development team, Hallmarq released a new model, the EQ2, in late 2006.

• The EQ2 platform is unique to Hallmarq and has been developed specifically to meet the requirements for scanning the standing equine, providing high quality clinical images for efficient image reading and diagnosis.

• EQ2 enabled protocols greatly assist the routine scanning of the foot, pastern, fetlock, carpus, and both fore and hind high suspensory ligaments of the standing sedated horse.

  This is achieved using our new specialised hardware combined with dedicated motion detection and correction algorithms protocols which have been specifically developed to scan the standing equine.

• EQ2 includes improved motion correction capabilities for gradient echo, spin-echo and fat suppressed STIR MR sequences

• For the more difficult horse or the more challenging location (eg the tarsus) the short imaging time of the EQ2 protocols allows rapid and convenient scanning of a horse under general anaesthesia.

	RF Screened Room

Because MRI transmits and receives radio signals, scanning must take place in a screened room. The magnet must also be kept at a constant temperature (±1°C, ±2°F) so air conditioning is also needed in the room

The room can be converted from an existing facility, or be incorporated into a new building.

Hallmarq recommends a typical room size of 5m x 7m (16ft x 24ft), with a minimum of 4m x 6m (13ft x 20ft). More space may be required for anaesthetised horses

Design and installation of the RF screened room and air conditioning is a specialist task, and Hallmarq can provide architectural advice to the veterinary clinic and liaison with the room manufacturer to ensure an effective and economic installation

RF room with standard wooden hitching rail, finished with internal white lining	RF room under construction with uncovered magnet and unlined walls
Example stand-alone new building	Example room under construction within an existing barn
RF room under construction showing wall detail	Hallmarq can provide architectural advice including drawings