UPRIGHT®, Multi-Position™, Weight-Bearing MRI: A Diagnostic Advantage for Physicians
At Stand-Up MRI, our heritage in MRI innovation traces back to the invention of the MRI, and underpins our leadership in modern diagnostic imaging. Building on this legacy, we have honed a specialized approach to MRI exams that elevates diagnostic clarity—particularly when traditional, recumbent-only MRIs fall short.
A Complete View of Pathology
Conventional MRI scanners capture anatomy in a single position—lying down—potentially masking the full extent of a patient’s pathology. In contrast, our STAND-UP® MRI (also known as the UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI) allows scanning in positions that mirror everyday life: standing, sitting, bending, or recumbent. By viewing the spine and other anatomies in the posture that triggers a patient’s symptoms, physicians gain a more comprehensive understanding of conditions such as hypermobile spinal instability, Chiari malformation, and focal disc herniations—critical insights that may be missed when a patient is scanned only while lying flat.​
State-of-the-Art Technology
Our 0.6 Tesla magnet, coupled with advanced RF receiver coils and modern AI-enhanced software, produces exceptionally detailed images. This technology enables dynamic imaging under weight-bearing conditions, capturing pathology in motion and revealing nuances that recumbent MRIs often overlook. Armed with this more complete visual record, physicians can devise treatment plans with greater precision, targeting the true source of a patient’s pain or dysfunction.
Unmatched Patient Comfort
The unique magnet configuration of the STAND-UP® MRI eliminates the closed-in feeling that “tube” or “tunnel” designs can create. With an open front and no overhead apparatus, patients experience significantly less claustrophobia. Most are scanned comfortably in a seated position, able to watch a large flat-screen TV throughout the process. This patient-friendly environment not only eases anxiety but also improves exam compliance—particularly important for pediatric patients, who can often avoid sedation by sitting peacefully in front of the television. We accommodate a wide range of patient needs, including individuals with limited mobility or body habitus that make traditional scanners challenging or impossible to use.
Meeting Special Patient Needs
Because of its open design, the STAND-UP® MRI can scan patients who are physically unable to lie down or who experience discomfort in recumbent positions. It can also accommodate individuals weighing up to 500 pounds. From elderly patients who find lying flat painful to young children who benefit from reduced motion artifacts while watching a favorite show, the STAND-UP® MRI design empowers clinicians to capture high-quality images in situations where other scanners fall short.
Real-World Clinical Evidence
Physicians and radiologists have documented numerous cases where upright scans revealed critical details:
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Postoperative Hypermobile Instability: UPRIGHT® MRI imaging pinpointed spinal instability that recumbent exams missed in a patient with recurrent low back pain following L4–S1 fusion.
Chiari Malformation: UPRIGHT® MRI imaging of this patient revealed the increased downward herniation of cerebellar tonsils; this led to targeted neurosurgery that eliminated the patient’s drop attacks.
Position-Dependent Disc Herniation: UPRIGHT®, dynamic scans illuminated a focal posterior disc herniation at the C4/5 level—with spinal cord compression—visible only with the patient’s neck in extension position.
​Evaluation of Spinal Instability: In multiple examples, weight-bearing exams uncovered the true severity and dynamics of spinal alignment changes that recumbent scanning missed.
These cases illustrate how UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI imaging can uncover pathologies often obscured by traditional MRI methods. By choosing STAND-UP® MRI physicians ensure they are not settling for a partial view of their patients’ conditions.
Partnering in Patient Care
As longtime healthcare professionals, our goal is to equip referring physicians with the most accurate and thorough diagnostic information possible. By leveraging advanced UPRIGHT® MRI technology, our team’s many years of clinical expertise and advanced AI processing, we help illuminate the full scope of each patient’s pathology so you can deliver more effective, targeted treatment.
At Stand-Up MRI, we are committed to advancing diagnostic imaging—honoring our past while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in outpatient MRI. We invite you to experience the advantages of upright, weight-bearing imaging and join us in elevating patient care to new heights.
Stand-Up MRI, FIRST in MRI