When an MRI scanner goes down, it doesn't just cost money — it delays diagnoses that patients are waiting on. This Training Course in MRI Systems Repair and Field Maintenance, delivered by the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy, is built around that reality: giving technicians the hands-on skills to keep MRI systems running and to bring them back quickly when something breaks.

MRI technology is not simple machinery — it combines powerful magnets, sensitive electronics, and cryogenic cooling in one device. The course walks participants through each of these systems in turn, from magnet behaviour to software troubleshooting, so that by the end they can service and repair MRI equipment to the standard modern healthcare facilities require.

Who Should Attend?

• Biomedical engineers and technicians who maintain and repair MRI systems, and service engineers looking to specialize further in the technology
• Anyone building a career in MRI system repair and maintenance
• Healthcare professionals who want a stronger technical grasp of how MRI equipment is kept operational

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to:

• Identify and repair common faults in MRI systems, and safely handle their various components while troubleshooting
• Understand the basic principles of MRI technology and how it applies in a healthcare setting
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance that keeps MRI systems reliable
• Ensure every repair and maintenance activity complies with industry standards and safety regulations

Module 1: What Makes MRI Systems Different to Service

• The science behind MRI imaging and the equipment and components that make it possible
• Types of MRI machines and their applications
• Key components of an MRI system, including the magnetic field, gradient coil, and radiofrequency coil systems

Module 2: Safety First: Working Around Magnets and Electricity

• Magnetic field safety precautions, and keeping patients and technicians safe during scans
• Handling ferromagnetic objects safely around MRI equipment
• Electrical components and their risks, grounding, circuit protection, and safety measures during maintenance and repair

Module 3: Magnets, Coils, and the Faults They Develop

• Permanent and superconducting magnets, and understanding magnetic field strength and homogeneity
• Troubleshooting magnetic-related issues
• The function of radiofrequency and gradient coils, their impact on image quality, and how to identify and repair coil faults

Module 4: Patient Table and Cooling System Care

• Structure and movement of the MRI patient table, common positioning issues, and repairing its mechanical components
• Why cooling matters for MRI operation, and understanding cryogens and their role
• Troubleshooting cooling system failures

Module 5: Inside the Electronics: Diagnosing and Repairing Faults

• Power supplies, electronics, and signal processing within the MRI system, and common electronic failures and their impact
• Using diagnostic tools to identify electronic faults
• Repairing circuit boards, signal processing units, and replacing faulty components

Module 6: Field Homogeneity and Gradient Coil Maintenance

• Causes of magnetic field distortion and techniques for assessing field quality
• Adjusting and recalibrating magnetic field strength
• Understanding gradient coil operation, preventive maintenance techniques, and repairing gradient system faults

Module 7: Software, Configuration, and Image Quality

• Overview of MRI operating software, configuration, and troubleshooting
• Updating and maintaining MRI software
• Factors affecting image quality, analysing signal-to-noise ratio, and techniques for improving image clarity

Module 8: Scheduled Maintenance and Spotting Trouble Early

• Daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance tasks, and routine checks to ensure proper functionality
• Documentation and record-keeping for maintenance
• Monitoring system performance and recognising early warning signs before they cause downtime

Module 9: Calibration Across the System

• Why regular calibration matters for accurate imaging, and calibration procedures for magnets and coils
• Troubleshooting calibration issues
• Techniques for calibrating gradient and radiofrequency systems and aligning imaging systems for optimal performance

Module 10: Cryogens and Cooling Units

• Understanding the cryogens used in MRI systems and safety precautions when handling them
• Monitoring cryogen levels and recharging systems
• Preventive maintenance for cooling units and troubleshooting cooling system failures

Module 11: Clinical Troubleshooting in Practice

• Common performance problems faced in clinical settings and troubleshooting patient imaging errors
• Optimising MRI system settings for clinical use
• Real-world case studies of MRI system failures, their causes, and effective troubleshooting approaches

Module 12: Repairs and Managing Downtime

• Best practices for replacing MRI components and ensuring compatibility of replacement parts
• Repair techniques for common MRI malfunctions
• Minimising downtime during repairs, scheduling effectively, and communicating with healthcare teams on system status

Module 13: Advanced Diagnostics and Long-Term Planning

• Using specialised diagnostic tools for advanced repairs and understanding system behaviour for deep troubleshooting
• Repairing rare or complex MRI failures
• Developing a comprehensive long-term maintenance plan and budgeting for future system upgrades