| [OBJECTIVE] 1.To fully integrate the clinical demands for medical MRI equipment from radiologists,engineers and technicians,so as to provide theoretical foundation for the development of domestic MRI equipment.2.To refine technical indicators reflecting the clinical functionality,engineering performance and user experience of medical MRI equipment,so as to provide instruction for domestic MRI equipment to improve competitiveness.[METHODS] 1.The medical MRI equipment demand questionnaire was formulated by a panel of experts composed of radiologists,medical engineers and statisticians using Delphi method.The questionnaire was composed of “Basic information of users”,“Requirements for clinical functionality”,“Requirements for engineering performance” and “Requirements for user experience”.2.The survey of medical MRI equipment demand was carried out online(https://www.sojump.com/)with MRI practitioners working in different grades of hospitals in China by means of project cooperation We Chat group and e-mail.[RESULTS] 1.Requirements for clinical functionality: Diffusion weighted imaging,non-enhanced vascular examination,breath-holding 3D magnetic resonance cholangiopancretography,MRI equipment for specific people and MRI-guided therapy were highly demanded among MRI practitioners.There were great differences in the demands for scientific research among different levels of hospitals.The demands for scientific research were highest in tertiary hospitals and decreased with hospital grades reducing.2.Requirements for engineering performance:(1)1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI equipment were mostly demanded with the percentage of 74.2% and 77.9%respectively.Only 4.8% of the participants had the demands for MRI equipment with magnetic field strength under 1.5 T.The homogeneity and stability of magnetic field and operational convenience of coil and scanning bed were key requirements of users.(2)From perspective of MRI equipment stability,monthly equipment availability,mean interval time between malfunctions,frequency of coil malfunction were mostly demanded among users.(3)From perspective of equipment maintenance,users had more demands for troubleshooting efficiency and maintenance quality.In addition,they preferred on-site service.During the warranty period,the manufacturers should carry out 2-3 times of technical training for engineers,technicians and radiologists.The results showed the on-site training is more demanded than distance training.From perspective of scientific research collaboration,the demands for project cooperation,protocol optimization and data post-processing training in tertiary hospitals were higher than secondary hospitals.3.Requirements for user experience: MRI users preferred Chinese operating system and Windows 10 operating system.MRI users had higher requirements for the convenience and fluency of computer and equipment operating systems,post-processing technologies such as maximum intensity projection(MIP)and multi-planar reformation(MPR).[CONCLUSION] 1.Clinical diagnosis and prospective equipment of MRI are highly demanded in different grades of hospitals.However,there are differences in the demands of scientific research.Our research is helpful for domestic MRI equipment manufacturers to conduct product positioning and technical research and development based on the specific demands of users.2.The medium and high-end MRI equipment are more and more demanded among users,which should be key point of the research and development for domestic MRI equipment.The manufactures should focus on the key issues and difficulties of user demands and constantly improve the software and hardware performance,equipment stability and quality of after-sales service.3.The experience design of medical MRI equipment should be based on the demands of MRI users.The manufactures should constantly improve the convenience and functional diversity of the computer and equipment operating systems,thereby improving the overall quality of domestic MRI equipment. |
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