A high-field open MRI is an MRI scanner that is open on the sides rather than a closed tube, while still producing true high-field diagnostic images. MRI Associates uses the Fujifilm Velocity 1.2T — with a 270-degree panoramic view, a table rated to 660 pounds, and quiet SoftSound scanning.
Also called: High field open MRI · 1.2T open MRI · Fujifilm Velocity
What makes this open MRI different?
Most "open" MRI systems achieve openness by dropping to a low magnetic field, which costs image quality. The Velocity is a 1.2 Tesla high-field magnet in an open design, so patients get comfort without giving up diagnostic clarity.
- 270° panoramic view — you can see the room the entire time
- Table rated to 660 lbs and 32 inches wide, lowering to 20 inches for easy access
- Motorized three-axis table positioning
- SoftSound quiet gradients — and we will play your favorite music during the exam
Who is an open MRI best for?
An open MRI is ideal for anyone who has struggled with — or dreads — a traditional closed scanner. The Velocity was built to alleviate the patient's fear of traditional MRIs.
If you are claustrophobic or anxious
The magnet is open on three sides with a 270° viewing angle, and patient lighting inside the passageway keeps it from feeling like a tunnel. We will play your favorite music during the exam. SoftSound gradient technology cuts the acoustic noise that many people find worse than the enclosure itself.
If you are a larger or bariatric patient
The table is rated to 660 lbs — the industry's best capacity — and is 32 inches wide, so your anatomy sits comfortably at iso-center for the best signal. Three-axis motorized lateral movement means we position the scanner around you rather than asking you to hold an awkward pose.
If the patient is a child
The open architecture often removes the need for sedation or anesthesia. A parent can stay alongside, talk to their child and be seen throughout the exam. The Halo coil gives an all-around view, RADAR motion correction absorbs the wriggling that would otherwise force a repeat, and fast sequences keep the study short.
If you are older or have limited mobility
The table lowers to 20 inches for easy transfer, including from a wheelchair. Blanket coils position quickly without uncomfortable maneuvering, in-bore lateral movement handles the rest, and a friend or family member can stay with you for the whole exam.
For orthopedic and extremity imaging
Wrists and elbows are imaged at your side rather than stretched overhead. Shoulders sit comfortably at iso-center, with ABER (abduction external rotation) positioning for a clear look at the labrum. The system also handles flexion/extension studies and imaging around a prosthesis.
What the Velocity can do
At 1.2 Tesla it is a true high-field magnet, so the open design does not cost you image quality.
- Neurological — multi-plane imaging without repositioning you and without CT's ionizing radiation; the Circle of Willis in a single acquisition.
- Vascular — 2D and 3D time-of-flight, FLUTE arterial-phase capture, TRAQ time-resolved MRA for blood-flow dynamics, and VASC non-contrast MRA for renal, carotid and peripheral studies.
- Abdominal — TIGRE T1-weighted 3D fat-suppressed dynamic imaging, 2D and 3D MRCP, and RADAR motion compensation for free-breathing work.
- Musculoskeletal — HOAST and regional shimming for reliable fat saturation, unlimited lateral opening, and dedicated RF coils for even coverage.
Where can I get an open MRI?
Our high-field open MRI is available at our Palm Harbor, Sarasota, and Lakeland (Highland MRI) facilities. Call 727.787.6900 and we will schedule you at the nearest center with an opening.
How do I prepare?
We provide scrubs for every patient, no jewelry. A caregiver or family member can often sit with you in the room — ask when scheduling.
What equipment is used?
- Fujifilm Velocity 1.2T — The region's open MRI — 270° view, 660 lb table, SoftSound.
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Medically reviewed by the board-certified radiologists of MRI Associates · Updated 2026-08-25
