22-002870

The Neurophysiology Imaging Facility (NIF) to procure two NHP fMRI research chairs for its Prisma scanner. These chairs must meet the needs to transport and contain awake monkeys that are carefully designed to meet the specific needs of working in high-strength magnetic field environments. Neurophysiology Imaging Facility (NIF) core is to provide NIH researchers with the resources necessary for conducting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of awake non-human primates (NHPs). To achieve this objective, it is essential to have hardware for the transport and containment of awake monkeys that has been carefully designed to meet the specific needs of working in high-strength magnetic field environments. Additionally, such devices must be engineered to interface with the scanner bore and patient bed of each MRI scanner, while also considering the safety of both animals and investigators.

To our knowledge, there are only two manufacturers in the industry- Crist and Rogue Research Inc. Crist does manufacture an “awake NHP fMRI chair”, however, their product is not suitable for our needs since it’s cylindrical and designed for smaller bore MRI scanners.

The Rogue chairs are specifically designed for the Prisma scanner and to allow for direct loading of animals from their home cage to the chair in horizontal orientation. The Rogue chairs are the only commercial product to provide this solution.