Traditional MRI machines have multiple advantages over other scans for detecting changes in soft tissue, and early intervention for even mild brain injuries has been shown to significantly improve a patient’s long-term prognosis. However, these machines are expensive and their high magnetic fields are not safe for injuries involving metal (think shrapnel), which also rules out unconscious patients for whom a medical history is unknown. Could weaker magnetic fields be used? Actually, yes. In fact, Los Alamos experts in ultra-low field MRI are developing smaller, less expensive systems that may be better suited for the battlefield setting and beyond.

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