Traditional MRIs are not designed for patient comfort. As a result, many patients have had unpleasant experiences in the past. In fact, many patients even object to an 'Open' MRI, since the machine is still right in front of the patient's face. FONAR has built the world's only Stand-Up^TM MRI in which patients can watch a 42" widescreen TV while being scanned. Some of our patients, who are unable tolerate an 'Open' MRI, enthusiastically call the Stand-Up^TM MRI the 'TV' MRI!

While comfort is a major reason why the Stand-Up^TM MRI is such an important technological breakthrough, the other is the superb quality of the images along with the ability to perform Position^TM Imaging, where patients can be scanned sitting, standing or bending in a flexion or extension position. This provides pictures of pathology that are unobtainable using any other traditional MRI — 'weight-bearing images' help physicians make more accurate diagnoses.

Many patients who were unable to be scanned in traditional tube MRIs can now be scanned in the Stand-Up^TM MRI machine. These include those with severe kyphosis (curvature of the spine), severely claustrophobic patients, and anyone wishing to avoid anesthesia. In many cases, pain or symptoms only manifest in the position of flexion or extension, making the FONAR Stand-Up^TM MRI the only viable MRI available.

Overweight patients can also benefit from the Stand-Up^TM MRI. The very first patient that the Physicians Stand-Up^TM MRI scanned weighed 370 pounds. No other MRI could have scanned this patient.