Strokes are a leading cause of death worldwide, with many patients suffering permanent disabilities. The portable MRI scanner, Axana, developed by Wellumio in New Zealand, aims to revolutionize stroke diagnosis and treatment. Axana’s compact design allows for imaging right at the patient’s bedside, eliminating delays and increasing the chances of effective treatment. Using innovative technology, Axana provides low-resolution images but sufficient for analyzing brain anatomy. The device, with its relatively low cost compared to traditional MRI machines, has the potential to be a game-changer in rural and underserved communities. Wellumio is working towards expanding its capabilities to include hemorrhagic diagnoses and detection of other head traumas.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/stroke-mri