Zone 3 Podcast

Episode Link -> RA Program 
This Episode of Zone 3 podcast between Robert, Laurie Coburn, and Reggie, discussing Laurie's career journey in radiology and the Radiology Practitioner Assistant (RPA) program at Weber State University. Laurie shares her experiences, from discovering her passion for radiology in high school to pursuing various roles such as radiographer, CT technologist, interventional radiology technologist, and eventually becoming an RPA and instructor at Weber State. She provides insights into the RPA program, including its history, curriculum, clinical requirements, certification process, job prospects, and salary expectations. Laurie emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience, continuous learning, and adapting to new challenges throughout her career. The conversation covers the differences between RPA, RRA (Registered Radiology Assistant), and PA (Physician Assistant) roles, as well as the benefits and challenges of pursuing the RPA/RRA path. Laurie's inspiring story highlights her dedication, resilience, and willingness to embrace new opportunities for professional growth.

See Full Video episode -> https://youtu.be/0fJ3uSAQwLg
In this episode, Robert and Reggie speak with Kelly Mantooth, an MR Safety expert, about RF burns in MRI. They discuss the definition of RF burns, how they differ from overall heating (SAR), the four types of burns (proximity, looping, resonant, and reflective), statistics on RF burns, causes, preventative measures, treatment, and personal experiences. Key points include: RF burns are caused by local/focal heating rather than overall heating, positioning and proper padding are crucial for prevention, certain sequences don't necessarily increase burn risk, and identifying high-risk patients is important. Kelly shares stories from her career that influenced her passion for MR safety.

See Full Video episode -> https://youtu.be/wFBwmt74wHo?si=s_XFJytnI6dWn2Kr
In this episode of Zone 3 Podcast, Reggie and Robert discuss training new  MRI technologists. Rob Cloutier, a well-known MRI Educator, discusses his approach to training technologists, focusing on understanding the 'why' behind MRI instead of just memorizing protocols. He talks about the importance of teaching MRI concepts in simple, easy-to-understand ways using analogies and stories. The key takeaways are to focus on the fundamentals like coverage, angles, phase direction, and assessing for motion and wrap. Rob emphasizes empowering technologists to think critically instead of being 'button pushers' who blindly follow protocols. He shares real examples of problem-solving on cases and talks about the importance of communication, efficiency, and attention to detail in producing quality diagnostic images.

See Full Video Episode --> Revolutionizing MRI with Remote Scanning & Alpha RT | https://youtu.be/NV9u6O-Xr4I

The podcast features Pete, Neil, Ryan, and Dr. Rekhi from Alpha RT.
Alpha RT focuses on remote scanning in the MRI field and plans to expand cautiously while maintaining exceptional service quality and safety.- They emphasize the importance of safety and have developed an MRI Tech Aid program to train tech aids. The program includes a 9-week curriculum covering personnel safety, medical terminology, equipment, anatomy, and codes.- The clinical training includes supervised on-site experience and a certification exam.- Alpha RT's approach prioritizes safety and solving staffing shortages while providing innovative solutions in the industry.

The Future of Radiology: Explore how remote scanning is revolutionizing patient care and safety in radiology.
Expert Insights: Hear from the co-founder of a pioneering remote scanning company, a VP of Partnerships, a day-to-day operations specialist, and a practicing radiologist.
Challenges & Solutions: Learn about the hurdles in implementing remote scanning, from safety protocols to staffing challenges, and how these are being innovatively addressed.
Educational Aspects: Discover the intricacies of our MRI Tech Program that's setting new standards in the field.
Safety First: Understand the stringent safety measures and patient care protocols in place.
Looking Ahead: Get a glimpse into the future goals and aspirations in remote scanning technology.
🤝 Join us in this enlightening journey as we uncover how technology and expertise come together to transform radiology. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more content from Zone 3 Podcast!

#Zone3Podcast #RemoteScanning #RadiologyRevolution

ALPHA RT website -  https://remotemriscanning.com/

Watch Episode at Pros and Cons of Field Strengths: 1.5T vs 3T vs 7T  https://youtu.be/whvW8CZU7Ss

Dive into the nuances of MRI field strengths as we discuss the pros and cons of 1.5T, 3T, and 7T with our special guest, Jesse Bashford. Learn about protocol optimization, the importance of equipment, and the ideal scenarios for each field strength.

Also Check out New and Improved Padding - https://mrpadwell.com/

 Watch Episode --> https://youtu.be/N1UYoQPNzUI

Join us in this enlightening episode of the Zone 3 Podcast as we delve deep into the world of MRI parameters with our guest expert, Matt Rederer, To find out what we really are doing when change certain parameters. This video is a comprehensive guide to understanding and optimizing MRI parameters for the best image quality 

Video Chapters:
Introduction [0:00 - 1:00]
Opening of the topic and the guest, Matt.

Understanding TR (Repetition Time) [1:01 - 10:00]
Explanation of TR and its impact on T1 contrast in the image.
Discuss the importance of finding the "sweet spot" for TR to achieve the best image quality.

Understanding TE (Echo Time) [10:01 - 20:00]
Explanation of TE and its role in controlling T2 contrast.
Discussion on how a higher TE will result in more signal loss, affecting the contrast.

Understanding TI (Inversion Time) [20:01 - 30:00]
Explanation of TI and its role in an inversion recovery sequence.
Discussion on how TI is used to nullify the signal from certain tissues, enhancing the contrast between different tissues.

Understanding ETL (Echo Train Length) [30:01 - 40:00]
Explanation of ETL and its role in a fast spin echo sequence.
Discussion on how a longer ETL can speed up the scan but may also result in more image blurring.

Understanding Flip Angle [40:01 - 50:00]
Explanation of the flip angle and its role in MRI.
Discussion on how the flip angle can affect the contrast and signal-to-noise ratio of the image.

Understanding Diffusion Weighted Imaging [50:01 - 60:00]
Discussion on the role of the B value in diffusion-weighted imaging.
Explanation of how a higher B value will result in more diffusion weighting, but also more noise in the image.

Understanding Phase Contrast Imaging [60:01 - 70:00]
Discussion on the role of the VENC (Velocity Encoding) value in phase contrast imaging.
Explanation of how the VENC value needs to be adjusted based on the velocity of the flow being imaged to avoid aliasing artifacts.

Conclusion [70:01 - End]
Recap of the main points discussed in the video.
Closing remarks and end of the video.

This video covers key MRI parameters including TR, TE, TI, ETL, and Flip Angle. We also delve into the intricacies of Diffusion Weighted Imaging and Phase Contrast Imaging.

Whether you're an MRI professional or a student in the field, this video is a valuable resource for enhancing your understanding of MRI parameters and their impact on image quality.

Connect with us:
For more informative videos on MRI and related topics, subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications. Don't forget to like and share this video if you found it helpful.

About our Guest:
Matt is the President of RITE Advantage LLC.  A company focused on educating and testing MRI, CT, Sonography, and Radiography students and technologists. The lead MRI technologist and a certified MR Safety Officer at Advocate Sherman Hospital. Matt is also the MRI/CT Physics Professor at Elgin Community College. 

Matt’s very knowledgeable at MRI physics which is the fundamental factor for image acquisition. So in addition to tricks and tips learned from coworkers, Matt stresses the importance of understanding how to optimize the image you’re acquiring by means of physics. Matt appreciates the artistic influence that naturally comes with photography. If you understand what’s happening on the back end in terms of k space etc., then you can be the creator of new tips and tricks to share with your coworkers and team. 

Watch now on Youtube --> Shaking Things up with MR Elastrography  https://youtu.be/IfkjM96BD80

Another fun episode with another fun guest. Kay Pepin PhD is the Vice President, Research & Global Collaboration Resoundant and a Senior Engineer in the Advanced Imaging Lab at Mayo Clinic led by Dr. Richard Ehman. She specializes in the use of imaging in liver disease. Dr. Pepin has a background in technique development, translational research, education, and collaboration management and is an expert on the development and implementation of Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE).

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) of the liver has emerged as the non-invasive standard for the evaluation of liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases (CLDs). The utility of MRE in the evaluation of different CLD in both adults and children has been demonstrated in several studies, and MRE has been recommended by several clinical societies. Consequently, the clinical indications for evaluation of CLD with MRE have increased, and MRE is currently used as an add-on test during routine liver MRI studies or as a standalone test. To meet the increasing clinical demand, MRE is being installed in many academic and private practice imaging centers.

Dr. Pepin talks about proper positioning of the elastography paddle. Prescribing of sequences. How to QA images to ensure an adequate study. How to trouble shoot different challenges that inherently arise with such a new and advanced method of imaging. She covers the pathologies that are best demonstrated. Clinical indications and imaging contraindications. A variety of Magnet manufactures have upgraded their existing units to accommodate the installation of MRE equipment. Dr. Pepin covers what those requirements are and helps to illustrate the simplicity. 

The origin story is fascinating. Listen along and take note of the complexities and how beneficial MRE can be for a growing population who suffer the clinical indications. It was a joy to have Dr. Kay Pepin on. She’s a natural in front of the camera which makes for entertaining and easy viewing.

Check out the Video --> GE Healthcare Revolutionary AIR™ Coils and AIR™ Recon DL |  https://youtu.be/MbT_fTqL_oE

Join Reggie and Robert in this exciting episode of Zone3Podcast as they sit down with Bradley Tomlinson, GE Healthcare's Rocky Mountain Region Manager of MR operations. Listen as Brad shares his inspiring career journey and introduces the hosts to GE's award-winning AIR™ Coils, an industry first in MRI coil design. The trio discusses the benefits of these ultra-light, flexible, and overlapping coil elements that deliver the exceptional image quality and a simplified, faster workflow.

But that's not all! Brad also dives into the game-changing AIR™ Recon DL algorithm, which transforms the MRI image reconstruction process. With its ability to perform ringing suppression and SNR improvement, AIR™ Recon DL offers clinical, operational, and financial benefits over conventional image reconstruction, including sharper images, reduced scan time, greater tolerance of protocol variations, and easier-to-read images.

Listen to this informative episode to learn about the latest advancements in MRI technology and how the AIR™ Coils and AIR™ Recon DL are changing the game for clinicians, patients, and the industry. Don't miss out on this exciting episode of Zone 3 Podcast!

GE AIR Technology  - https://www.gehealthcare.com/products...

Video Link --> https://youtu.be/hgnq4zy1ivE

Zone3Podcast and the gang happy to be joined by Dr. Joanna Shechtel, MD. Dr Shechtel earned her medical degree from Georgetown University. She completed a residency in Diagnostic Radiology at University of Tennessee - Knoxville, where she served as Chief Resident, and a fellowship in Musculoskeletal Imaging at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). In 2021, Dr. Shechtel joined VUMC faculty as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiology in the Musculoskeletal Radiology section. She is a member of the Radiological Society of North America, American Roentgen Ray Society, American College of Radiology, Tennessee Medical Association and Nashville Academy of Medicine. Dr. Shechtel's clinical interests include MRI safety, quality improvement and resident education.

Dr. Shechtel main area of expertise is sarcomas as it pertains to MSK Diagnostic Imaging. Sarcomas are rare cancers that develop in the bones and soft tissues, including fat, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, deep skin tissues and fibrous tissues. There are many risk factors for sarcomas. History of radiation therapy, genetic predisposition and chemical exposure. Imaging properties include size, adjacent tissue differences, infiltrating and contrast enhancement.

She was first introduced to the importance of MRI safety by Dr. Peter Petruzzi, MRMD during her residency. She credits Dr. Shellock for her choice to later become a board member of ABMRS.

Many factors to consider for sarcoma imaging. coils, image planes, patient positioning, FOV, phase direction, technique, sequence selection etc. Dr. Shechtel doesn’t have a preference in field strength if imaging quality isn’t compromised. Duplicating a prior study is also a consideration and should be the goal absent of contraindication. High resolution imaging is her preference over small FOV imaging if forced to decide between the two. She stresses the importance of Surgeon preference consideration with joint-to-joint imaging. Prothesis may be in that patient’s course of care. Large FOV imaging allows for pre-op measurements as well as visualization of skip lesions.

We always love it when our guests come prepared with helpful visual aids. Dr. Shechtel brings imaging examples which help illustrate her case in point. It was a joy spending with someone of Dr. Shechtel’s caliber.

See full video Episode --> What does a Field Service Engineer do? or https://youtu.be/loS_vEyMc2o

Another great Zone3Podcast episode with Field Service Engineer Todd Beaudoin. Todd is originally from North Dakota. Relocating to Arizona to pursue a Bachelor of Science and Electronic Engineering at DeVry University. Starting in the semiconductor industry for the first several years of his career. To when he eventually transitioned into healthcare. He started his training with Fomar MRI manufacturer. There he worked directly with Dr. Raymond Damadian credited as the inventor of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. That very unique experience gave him advanced knowledge of image acquisition which he uses daily to help identify scanner equipment issues. 

After that training, he then worked with GE Healthcare for 13 years. Currently, he works for the Mayo Clinic servicing multi-modality equipment, but mostly his time is spent on MRI. Providing multi-vendor service. Dealing with mechanical problems, environmental controls, electronics, electricity, networking problems, etc. Todd encourages anyone interested in the field to pursue it. It’s a great time considering employers offer incentives such as putting you through school to obtain your degree. 

Todd discusses his day-to-day operations describing the majority of his time spent is reactive in nature. Responding to issues as they arise. Usually reported to him and his department directly from the technologists that operate the scanner. Remote access allows him the ability to diagnose the problem but he prefers to be more hands-on. In addition to unplanned unexpected issues, preventive maintenance also is not only necessary but valuable to stop problems before it happens. Todd describes one of his biggest hurdles to overcome is scanner time. The department allows him the time to investigate, identify, and fix any problems when they happen. Error logs are the most helpful starting point. Some issues are quick fixes. However, some problems can keep Todd and other technicians in the department there through the night. Something as simple as calibration can take up to 4 hours. Software/hardware upgrades present their own sets of challenges. 

Todd expresses the importance of Daily/weekly QA. That data trends the machine, any deviation is usually indicative of a current or upcoming cause for concern. A proactive way to maintain the machine. The logistics of maintaining the temperature of the magnet and scanner environment. 

Todd is an absolute genius as are all Field Service Engineers. He credits his training and the people he’s surrounded with. Collectively his team is able to quickly identify a problem and fix it. Downtime translates to a lack of patient care. The sooner he and his team can get it up and running again the sooner the technologist can provide care to that next patient.

About our Sponsor:  
Aegys is an innovative leader in the MRI safety industry and the Creator of The TechGate Automatic.
Aegys is committed to providing innovative product and process solutions that enhance overall magnet safety and improve efficiency.  TechGate Auto is a Zone 4 Barrier System that keeps patients and MRI technologists safe.  TechGate Auto allows technologists to focus on the care of patients and efficient room turnaround rather than worrying about anyone entering the MRI room behind them. Easy to use and designed for the MRI environment, TechGate Auto is deployed whenever the technologist enters or leaves the MR room or via push button remote control, providing an immediate physical restriction of access to all unauthorized individuals.

The use of a “caution” barrier at the entrance to the MR room is now a recommendation of the American College of Radiology MR Safety Committee.

Links 
Aegys' Tech Gate Auto-  https://aegysgroup.com/

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Imaging Diversified

Imaging Diversified was established in 2019 with the aspiration of offering onsite training to his peers through vendors that sell MRI and CT equipment. He received subpar training on more than one occasion after new MRI installations. With the goal to remedy this, he started being more active in sharing his knowledge on scanner utilization starting in 2011 after attending a conference by Dr. Kanal. Over years he was exposed to different vendors and learned the systems to become a superuser. He then shared that knowledge with his peers. This passion later became a business that welcomes application specialists and knowledgeable users that want to share their expertise and get paid to do it.

Links: 
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.imagingdiversified.com
Social Media: Imaging Diversified