On Feb. 3, 2016, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital unveiled a 3-Tesla intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging machine that provides real-time, high-resolution images of the brain during complex surgical procedures.

Housed in a new 10,000 square-foot surgical and imaging suite, the iMRI — the first within a dedicated children’s hospital on the West Coast — will allow OHSU Doernbecher neurosurgeons to more precisely and safely remove most tumors in a single operation, thus reducing the emotional and physical toll on families, and advancing the overall care of children with brain tumors, epilepsy and other neurological conditions.

OHSU Doernbecher’s state-of-the-art iMRI suite combines an operating room environment with a powerful MRI facility. During surgery, the 3-Tesla 18,000-pound magnet travels into the operating room on overhead rails and then retracts when the scan is complete.

Moving the MRI rather than the patient during surgery enhances safety and reduces exposure to infection. With iMRI, the neurosurgical team can detect and treat any unexpected complications before leaving the operating room.

The OHSU Doernbecher iMRI suite cost $19 million to build and equip, and is made possible through philanthropy – including a generous gift from the family of Arnold and Leona Poletiek –as well as hospital capital. The first surgical procedure in the new facility will take place in March 2016.