The Portal Gravity System: Weight Bearing MRI

Stand out from the crowd of imaging centers. Provide better results for spine physicians.

Only feeling pain while standing?

Weight-bearing MRI, also known as Axial-loaded MRI, simulates a standing up position by applying compression to the lumbar spine. The imaging captures how the patient actually feels while standing, and takes into account the effect that gravity has on a patient’s spine. Portal Gravity system applies 50% of the patient’s body weight in compression. This closes the gaps in the L-spine thereby revealing herniation and bulges that did not present as significantly when the patient was in a relaxed position. Adding 50% compression does not create false positives of medical conditions that do not exist.

Pain from standing only An animated illustration of person feeling pain while standing, and when axial load is applied.
Standing
Supine
Axial Load

How it Works

The Portal Gravity System: Weight Bearing MRI

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Easy to Use

Better Diagnostic Results

Provides a Competitive Edge

portal gravity system closeup
woman lying down on MRI machine using Portal Gravity system
closeup of Portal Gravity system
Portal Gravity System user controls
woman tightening vest
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Multiple sizes of vests make it quick and easy to connect the patient to the PGS. 

tightening straps of the Portal Gravity system with turn crank
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Custom made springs maintain constant axial load during study.

woman laying down for MRI
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Load sensors that are integrated into the footplate measure the amount of force being applied and are accurate to within 1/10th of a pound.

Independent studies show the value of axially loaded diagnostic imaging.

Three experienced neurosurgeons reviewed non-axially loaded MRI images of 20 patients with narrowing of the spinal canal and then subsequently reviewed axially loaded MRI images of those same 20 patients.

  • All three neurosurgeons changed their treatment decisions from conservative management to
    decompressive surgery for 5 of the 20 patients;
  • Two of the three neurosurgeons changed their treatment decisions for 7 of the 20 patients;
  • One of the three neurosurgeons changed his treatment decision for 11 of the 20 patients.

Without Axial Loading

x-ray image of spine without compression

With Axial Loading

x-ray image of spine with compression

Images courtesy of Yair Safriel, M.D.

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