Radiographer Apollo Exconde with his Lego concept open MRI for patient education.
November 11, 2019 — Radiographer Apollo Exconde, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiographer with a special interest in anxious/claustrophobic and plus-size patients, is on a mission. He is looking for a way and a solution to help his patients by conquering their fear one Lego brick at a time. "If a patient has been referred for an open MRI it was because they failed to do it in the conventional MRI and if they fail to do this again because of claustrophobia it will further delay their treatment," he explained.
His invention, Lego open MRI, is an interactive toy that aims to give hope to help everyone, especially kids, who are curious and anxious, according to his Lego Product Ideas page. It was designed based his patients’ suggestions and with patients in mind, to help demonstrate during the earliest possible stage what will happen during an MRI to help eliminate patient misconceptions or worries. The Lego structures would allow patients to have fun building the miniature system with him, as he explains how the MRI procedure will be carried out.
"What separates this open MRI versus the conventional one is its wide unobstructed view, a perfect replica while explaining it to scanxious patients. It has sliding table features that do not only show where your head and body will be, but it shows as well what coil will be placed and how you will be positioned with it. MRI is not only about the machine itself; the coil is the piece that makes the pictures and is designed for each body part.
"It can be transformed into another scanner replica with the same bricks. You can create an upright MRI, CT scan and DEXA scan, too! I hope to bring closer these unsung medical imaging scanners to the world, reintroduce them to anxious patients like kids, and make it fun and interactive, as well as exhibit its medical benefits and create consciousness about radiology.
"I hope the world will help me to help all those who have scan related anxiety issues and the plus-size to do their MRI," Exconde concludes.
He has surpassed 5,000 supporters, and according to an official statement from Lego, made it into the upper ranks on LEGO Ideas. He's been given another 6 months (182 days) to reach the final milestone of 10,000 supporters.
To help support Exconde's goal of educating patients, you can visit his page at: