By Luca Bartalini, MSc – Specialist MRI Consultant

Contents

THE CHALLENGE: MRI AND PATIENT ANXIETY

OPEN MRI: ESAOTE’S PATIENT-CENTERED APPROACH

TAKING COMFORT AND IMAGE QUALITY FURTHER

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS ON ESAOTE SCANNERS

CERVICAL SPINE

HEAD EXAM

UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES

SHOULDER MRI

CONCLUSION

The challenge: MRI and Patient Anxiety

MRI is a safe and powerful diagnostic tool, but for many patients, it comes with stress and anxiety. The tunnel-like design of traditional MRI scanners, the need to remain still for long periods, the acoustic noise, and the physical discomfort of certain positions can trigger claustrophobia and restlessness.

Managing these patient feelings is essential. Radiographers play a key role, but technology itself can make a big difference.

Open MRI: Esaote’s Patient-Centered Approach

To address claustrophobia, manufacturers introduced open MRI systems. Esaote is a leader in this field, offering low-field open MRI scanners such as the S-scan Open, G-scan Open, O-scan Smart, and Magnifico Open.

These systems feature:

• A C-shaped design that significantly reduces patient stress. For most exams, the patient’s head remains outside the magnet cavity—an enormous advantage for those with claustrophobia.
• Low acoustic noise and reduced SAR exposure compared to high-field systems.
• An open shape that lets patients remain in a comfortable supine position, particularly during peripheral joint scans such as the hand, wrist, and elbow.

Another example is the Esaote O-scan Smart scanner. Designed exclusively for extremities, it goes even further in reducing anxiety: only the joint being examined enters the gantry, virtually eliminating feelings of confinement.

For patients with claustrophobia or anxiety, this makes MRI far more tolerable – and often the only way they can successfully complete the exam.

S-scan Open

G-Scan Open

O-scan Smart

Magnifico Open

Taking Comfort and Image Quality Further

Esaote set out to enhance the MRI experience for both patients and healthcare professionals. While low-field open MRI systems already reduce anxiety compared to tunnel-shaped scanners, they generally require longer acquisition times, which increases the risk of motion artifacts and can compromise diagnostic accuracy.

Two priorities became clear:

1. Patient Comfort – Patients must remain relaxed and supported throughout the examination. Discomfort can quickly lead to restlessness or involuntary movement.
2. Image Quality – Stable, reproducible positioning is crucial to minimize motion and ensure reliable results, especially during longer scans.

To meet these needs, Esaote integrated advanced patient positioning solutions by Pearl Technology AG.

Pearl Technology develops innovative cushions, wedges, belts, and inflatable pads that adapt to each patient and coil setup. These tools enhance comfort and stabilization – making scans easier for both patients and radiographers and enabling open MRI systems to reach their full diagnostic potential.

Practical Applications on Esaote Scanners

In my daily practice with Esaote scanners, the benefits of this collaboration are very tangible. Using Pearl Technology’s supports, I can make patients more comfortable while at the same time improving image quality. The following cases show how these tools make a real difference in routine examinations.

Cervical Spine

For cervical spine imaging with the large dedicated coil (coil 14), I like to combine a MULTIPAD Bendy in the back of the head with a MULTIPAD Slim pads placed laterally. The posterior Bendy lets me fine-tune head elevation and restore a comfortable, neutral alignment, while the Slim pads provide gentle bilateral stabilization without creating pressure points. This adjustable setup improves patient comfort, allows longer acquisitions when needed, and reliably reduces motion—resulting in sharper images with fewer artifacts.

MULTIPAD Bendy (left) and the MULTIPAD Slim (right) in head coil

When cervical extension is limited or thoracic kyphosis is pronounced, head support alone may not achieve a neutral cervical posture. In these cases, I position a PearlFit Cushion 50x30x10  under the pelvis. Elevating the pelvis helps normalize overall spinal curvature and reduces the extension demand on the neck, especially in patients with kyphosis or extension-related pain. The cushion’s geometry pairs well with Esaote’s knee support, promoting slight hip flexion to unload the lumbar spine, improve comfort, and enhance stillness—thereby supporting longer scans with fewer motion artifacts.

Note: the patient dressing is not correct in this case for an optimal safety and image quality. Only for demonstrative purposes

Head exam

During brain MRI on G-scan/S-scan systems with the dedicated head coil, I routinely use Multipad Ear to gently fill any gaps between the head and the coil. This added contact limits small head shifts over longer acquisitions, thereby reducing motion artifacts without creating pressure points. When appropriate, I combine the pads with standard in-ear hearing protection to further improve acoustic comfort; although Esaote scanners are comparatively quiet, certain sequences can still be noticeable.

MULTIPAD Ear in Head Coil

Upper and lower extremities

On G-scan/S-scan systems, I use Multipad Slim inflatable pads with the dedicated knee coil to fill residual gaps, align the joint, and keep the leg comfortably stable; the same approach works well on the O-scan for small to medium knees. For wrist and hand imaging, I switch to Multipad Bendy with the dedicated coil: the pad wraps circumferentially around the anatomy, letting me fine-tune contact pressure for secure immobilization while preserving circulation and avoiding pressure points.

MULTIPAD Slim with knee coil on G-Scan/S-Scan

MULTIPAD Bendy with hand/wrist coil on G-Scan/S-Scan. 

Shoulder MRI

Shoulder MRI can be challenging: pain and limited range of motion make it hard for patients to hold a neutral, reproducible position, and small drifts during longer acquisitions easily create motion artifacts. I use the PearlFit Cushion 50×30×7 to achieve correct arm positioning and stabilization. It uses a patented technology of small styrofoam bead filling, wich is soft and airy at first, but solidifies into a mould under the weight of the limb. It feels a bit like sitting in a bean bag, resting in place without moving sideways. Placed under the forearm or hand, it gently elevates the limb to the required height, helps maintain neutral shoulder alignment, reduces muscular strain, and improves comfort—thereby minimizing motion and supporting consistent image quality.

PearlFit Cusion 50x30x7 to support the correct arm position. MULTIPAD can be used inside shoulder coil.

Conclusion

Esaote now includes selected Pearl Technology positioning supports with its open MRI systems, giving radiographers ready-to-use tools that simplify setup and reduce the learning curve. In routine use, this means patients are more comfortable and less anxious, technologists can stabilize anatomy more reliably, and images show fewer motion artifacts. The collaboration demonstrates how combining open MRI design with practical positioning aids can improve day-to-day MRI quality and workflow.