What Is a High-Field Open MRI Scan — and Why It’s a Game-Changer for Patients
For many people, being told they need an MRI scan can bring a mix of relief and anxiety.
Relief, because an MRI is one of the most effective ways to help diagnose or monitor treatments for a variety of conditions. Anxiety, because traditional closed MRI scanners are often associated with narrow spaces, loud noises and feelings of claustrophobia or anxiety.
This is where open MRI scans are changing the experience for patients.
Designed with comfort in mind, open MRI scanners offer a more spacious and reassuring environment, without compromising on the quality of diagnostic imaging. For patients who feel claustrophobic, nervous, or simply want a more comfortable experience, this technology can make all the difference.
At Visit Health, we believe diagnostics should feel supportive, not stressful. Read on to learn more about what we mean by an open MRI scan, how it differs from traditional MRI scanners and why it offers a more comfortable and reassuring experience for patients.
What Is an Open MRI Scan and How Does it Work?
An open MRI scan uses the same magnetic resonance imaging technology as a traditional machine, which creates detailed images of the inside of the body.
Both traditional and open MRI scans work by using a magnetic field, along with radio waves, to produce cross-sectional and 3D images. They are also both non-invasive ways to achieve a clearer understanding of what’s happening inside your body.
The key differences lie in the design.
It’s also important to note that not all open MRI scanners are the same. Different open MRI technologies offer different imaging capabilities, and we’ll explore how Visit Health’s high-field open MRI scanner compares later in this article.
Open MRI Scan vs. Traditional MRI: What’s the Difference?
When comparing an open MRI scan with a traditional closed MRI, the biggest difference is the patient experience.
Greater comfort and less claustrophobia
Traditional MRI scanners are usually large machines with a narrow tunnel running through them. During their scan, patients are required to lie very still on a flat bed that moves through the scanner.
While highly effective, this enclosed structure can feel intimidating, especially for people with claustrophobia or anxiety. This is one of the most common reasons people delay important scans or need sedation to help them relax.
Open MRI technology helps reduce that concern by offering:
- More space around the body to make the experience more comfortable
- Wider view and larger gaps to reduce feelings of claustrophobia
- A calmer overall experience
This can be particularly helpful for people who experience claustrophobia or anxiety, as well as for nervous children.
At Visit Health, we also use calming visual projections to create an environment that feels less clinical and more reassuring for both adults and children.
Excellent image quality without compromise
Some patients assume that choosing comfort means sacrificing quality, but modern open MRI scans have proved that this isn’t the case.
Advanced open MRI scanners can provide highly detailed images that support confident diagnoses across a wide range of conditions, from joint issues and spinal cord injuries to heart health and brain tumours.
At Visit Health, we use a 1.2 Tesla scanner, with image quality that rivals many traditional 1.5T closed-tube systems. This means our patients can benefit from a more comfortable experience without losing confidence in their diagnosis.
How Is Visit Health’s Open MRI Different?
Not all open MRI scanners are the same.
While some open MRI systems are designed primarily for upright or positional imaging, Visit Health uses the Fujifilm Oasis Velocity 1.2T scanner, the UK’s only high-field open MRI scanner of its kind.
Unlike upright MRI systems, which are often limited when it comes to soft tissue and organ imaging, our scanner combines an open, patient-friendly design with advanced imaging capabilities across a much wider range of anatomy, including the prostate, liver, kidneys and breast tissue.
Patients lie flat between two horizontal magnet plates that are open on all four sides, helping reduce feelings of confinement while still allowing for highly detailed, clinically reportable imaging.
With an 83cm-wide table supporting patients up to 300kg, Visit Health’s open MRI scanner combines comfort, accessibility, and diagnostic confidence in one advanced system.
Fast scanning and reduced noise levels
Traditional MRI machines produce loud tapping, banging, and clicking sounds while capturing images. For some patients, this can add to feelings of stress or anxiety during the scan.
At Visit Health, our open MRI technology uses advanced features including IP-RAPID acceleration and SoftSound™ gradients to help reduce scan times and lower noise levels compared to many traditional closed MRI systems.
While patients will still hear noise during the scan, ear protection and headphones are provided throughout the appointment to improve comfort and allow clear communication with the radiographer.
Who Benefits Most from an Open MRI Scan?
One of the greatest advantages of an open MRI scan is that it makes diagnostic imaging more accessible for a more diverse range of patients, including:
Patients with claustrophobia or anxiety
For patients who feel overwhelmed by enclosed spaces, a traditional closed MRI can feel extremely difficult. The loud bangs and clicks that happen when the machine is capturing images can add to this anxiety.
An open MRI scan helps reduce those feelings of panic and allows patients to complete their scan in a calmer, more manageable environment, often without the need for sedation.
Children and parents
Understandably, children can find medical environments intimidating, especially when faced with large machines and unfamiliar procedures.
An open scanner feels less restrictive and more welcoming, helping younger patients feel safer during their appointment. At Visit Health, parents and children can also lie together during the scan, helping to reduce any anxiety throughout the experience.
Patients with a higher body weight
Patients with a higher body weight often find traditional MRI scanners physically uncomfortable.
Open MRI scanners provide a more accommodating design with wider access and greater comfort. Our system supports patients up to 300kg with an 83cm table, helping make high-quality imaging more inclusive.
Why Choose Visit Health for Your Open MRI Scan?
At Visit Health, advanced diagnostics are built around our patients, not the other way around.
Our open MRI scan combines cutting-edge technology with a genuinely supportive experience, helping our patients feel confident from the moment their appointment is scheduled to the moment they receive their results.
Patients benefit from:
- The UK's only and most powerful open MRI scanner
- Same-day and next-day availability
- Self-referral options for faster access
- Faster scanning with reduced noise levels
- Next-day results for quicker diagnosis
- Expert radiology and specialist support
- A central London location with convenient access
Because healthcare should feel reassuring, not overwhelming.
And that’s exactly what we aim to deliver.
Better Imaging Starts with a Better Patient Experience
An open MRI scan offers the best of both worlds: exceptional diagnostic imaging and a significantly more comfortable patient experience.
For people who feel anxious about enclosed scanners, for children, for patients with a higher body weight, and for anyone who simply wants a more supportive healthcare experience, open MRI technology is transforming what healthcare can feel like.
At Visit Health, patient comfort is never treated as an afterthought; it is part of the diagnosis itself.
If you need an MRI and want a more comfortable, patient-friendly experience, get in touch with a member of our team today or book online to get started.