RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Magic Angle Direction Imaging (MADI) ACL Study

Q: What is an ACL tear?

An ACL tear is an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, often caused by sudden stops, changes in direction, or jumps. It's a common sports injury.

Q: Is the new scanner safe?

Yes, MRI scans are generally considered very safe. This new scanner uses similar principles to standard MRI and doesn't involve radiation like X-rays. Safety checks will be done before your scan.

Q: Will this scan replace my usual MRI?

No, this scan is in addition to any standard MRI you've already had. It's an experimental scan to gather more detailed information, not a replacement for routine diagnostic imaging.

Q: Where is the scanner located?

The prototype scanner is located at the Mechanical Engineering department at Imperial College London, on the South Kensington campus.

Q: Will I get results from my research scan?

The researchers are collecting data to develop the new technology. Specific clinical results from this experimental scan may not be provided directly to you, but the research will contribute to broader medical knowledge.

Researchers are investigating a new MRI scanner called Magic Angle Direction Imaging (MADI) to see if it can provide clearer images of tissues like ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Standard MRI often struggles to show these tissues in detail, making it hard to diagnose certain injuries accurately. This new scanner could help doctors better understand conditions such as tears in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in the knee. The study will first fine-tune the methods using healthy volunteers and then apply them to people with ACL injuries. The goal is to see if this advanced imaging can give valuable information for planning treatments and improving patient care within the NHS.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

Start

29 Jan 2025

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2027

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Meniscus Tear

What is this study about?

This study is looking at a new and improved type of MRI scan called Magic Angle Direction Imaging (MADI). You might be familiar with standard MRI scans, which use strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures inside your body. While very useful, conventional MRI sometimes struggles to show the delicate structures of ligaments, tendons, and cartilage as clearly as doctors would like, especially when diagnosing injuries.

The MADI scanner is designed to get around these limitations by using a special technique. It works by capturing signals that are usually lost in standard MRI, giving doctors a much clearer view of the collagen fibres that make up these important tissues. Imagine it like seeing the individual threads in a piece of fabric rather than just the overall shape. This extra detail could be really helpful for understanding the extent of an injury, like a torn ACL in the knee, or for planning the best way to treat it.

The researchers have already tested this new method on healthy volunteers to make sure it works well and to identify the best ways to use it. Now, they are inviting people with ACL injuries to take part. The main goal is to see if this new scanner can accurately show what's happening inside the knee and provide information that isn't available with current MRI techniques, ultimately leading to better diagnoses and potentially better choices for your care.

Key takeaways

This study uses a new MRI scanner to improve imaging of ligaments and tendons.
It aims to better diagnose and understand ACL injuries.
Participation involves one MRI scan at Imperial College London.
You must be an adult aged 18-65 with an ACL injury scheduled for surgery.
The scanner is a prototype, aiming to enhance future NHS care.
You can withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 65 years old. You should have been diagnosed with an ACL tear and be scheduled for surgery to repair it. It's also important that you don't have any medical conditions or implants that would make an MRI scan unsafe for you.

There are also some physical requirements: your body mass index (BMI) should be 28 or less, or if your thigh is measured about 7.5cm above your knee, its circumference should be less than 47cm. This is because the new prototype scanner has specific size limitations.

You wouldn't be able to join if you are acutely unwell, very frail, or if you've recently had surgery on the affected knee. Also, if you are experiencing severe pain, are pregnant, or breastfeeding, this study would not be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Do you have an ACL tear that you're having surgery for?
Do you have any medical implants or conditions that make MRI unsafe?
Are you able to fit comfortably into the prototype scanner (BMI ≤ 28 or thigh circumference < 47 cm)?
Are you currently pregnant or breastfeeding?
Do you have severe pain or are acutely unwell?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll have an MRI scan using the new prototype scanner. This scan will be in addition to any routine scans you've already had for your ACL injury. The research team will explain everything to you and make sure you're comfortable during the scan. There won't be any medication involved as part of the study, and no follow-up visits beyond the scan itself. The study is planned to run for a total of 36 months, but your individual participation would involve a single scan session.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer the benefit of potentially faster access to an advanced imaging scan, which could help advance medical understanding of ACL injuries. While the new scanner is a prototype, MRI scans are generally safe and don't use X-rays. Any risks would be similar to those of a standard MRI, such as discomfort from lying still or the loud noise of the machine. The research team will take every precaution to ensure your safety and comfort. It's important to remember that you are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Imperial College London
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Imperial College NHS Trust, Department of Surgery and Cancer
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an ACL tear?

An ACL tear is an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, often caused by sudden stops, changes in direction, or jumps. It's a common sports injury.

Is the new scanner safe?

Yes, MRI scans are generally considered very safe. This new scanner uses similar principles to standard MRI and doesn't involve radiation like X-rays. Safety checks will be done before your scan.

Will this scan replace my usual MRI?

No, this scan is in addition to any standard MRI you've already had. It's an experimental scan to gather more detailed information, not a replacement for routine diagnostic imaging.

Where is the scanner located?

The prototype scanner is located at the Mechanical Engineering department at Imperial College London, on the South Kensington campus.

Will I get results from my research scan?

The researchers are collecting data to develop the new technology. Specific clinical results from this experimental scan may not be provided directly to you, but the research will contribute to broader medical knowledge.

How to find out more

Chinmay Gupte, PhD

chinmay.gupte@nhs.net +44 (0) 20 331 21715 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.