Welcome to the Medical Imaging Centre
The Medical Imaging Centre is a major research facility within the Department of Health and Care Professions. This state-of-the-art facility is located on St Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, and supports the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, as well as other Faculties and external users.
We provide both imaging equipment and experienced staff, to assist researchers and students in collaborative and multidisciplinary research by applying clinical and advanced medical imaging techniques to address key questions in clinical research. We have a track record of collaborating with research and industrial partners for facilitating research in these areas.
We also work closely with the Mirielle Gillings Neuroimaging Centre which is based at the nearby Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital site.
Please see our introductory video for information on the equipment, services and collaboration opportunities we have available to business and other organisations:
The Medical Imaging Centre is run within the Department of Health and Care Professions which sits in the University's Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The Centre is run by the Director alongside key colleagues in the Medical Imaging team, a technical support and in collaboration with Exeter Innovation team. We fully integrate several modalities, including portable and static radiographic equipment, multiple ultrasound scanners, high resolution pQCT, and bone health diagnostic tools such as DXA (GE iDXA), Echolight, and Bindex systems. We offer vascular testing systems such as Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Doppler ultrasound.
We also work in collaboration with the Mirielle Gillings Neuroimaging Centre which offer 3T MRI and PET/CT facilities.
Our aim is to support research projects within the University of Exeter, as well as external projects and collaborations with state-of-the-art facilities and specialist knowledge on clinical medical imaging and diagnostic radiography.
X-ray
- Siemens Multix Fusion Digital Radiography
Our digital radiography Siemens Multix Fusion x-ray suite has all the requirements of a clinical x-ray room, making it ideal for research and educational activities. The system integrates with an internal Insignia PACS network and educational podium and smart board within the room. Additional dosimetry and simulation equipment are also available on request
Ultrasound
- Canon and Siemens Ultrasound Scanners
GE iDXA Scanner
The GE Lunar iDXA is a top of the range dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scanner which has the capability to measure both bone density and body composition. The standard clinical scan protocols include lumbar spine, proximal femur, lateral vertebral assessment (vertebral fracture assessment) and extended femur scans. The scanner is also able to perform research related scans including total body for bone density and body composition and knee scans.
Bone health
Bone health diagnostics are a priority area for the Medical Imaging centre. We also have a Stratec peripheral quantitative computed tomograph (pQCT) scanner for the measurement at femur, radius or tibia, including evaluation of volumetric bone density, bone geometry and muscle parameter at the forearm, upper or lower leg.” Alternative osteoporosis screening tools such as QUS, Echolight and Bindex systems are also onsite.
- Stratec pQCT 300o
- Echolight
- Bindex
- QUS
Lab equipment
The Medical Imaging Centre has a range of educational and research based lab equipment for radiographic studies. Examples include dosimetry equipment such as the Harshaw TLD reader, RTI Piranha dosimeter, and an adult CIRS dosimetry phantom. Other systems include an Artinis continuous wave NIRS system and PHYWE table top x-ray units. We have access to virtual radiography simulation software (both 2D and VR) and anthropomorphic phantoms to aid our students’ education.
Our team
Dr Robert Meertens
Director of the Medical Imaging Centre
Rob is the Director for the Centre and Senior Lecturer in Medical Imaging. He is a diagnostic radiographer by background and has been in an academic post at the University of Exeter since 2013 with his research interestes sitting predominately around bone health diagnostics. Through Rob's role as Director of Business Engagement he has seen the wide-ranging industrial interest in artificial intelligence applications applied to both bone health and radiology more generally.
Email: R.M.Meertens@exeter.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1392 722511
Rich Cassidy
External Business Engagement Lead
I am the Impact and Partnership Development Manager for Health and Care Services and the External Business Engagement Lead for the Medical Imaging Centre. As part of this role I suppor the Director and the wider team below. I am responsible for creating opportunities to generate value, impact and mutually beneficial outcomes for all partners of the Medical Imaging Centre.
As an experienced commercial professional, with a career encompassing the Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Pharmacy and MedTech industries, I joined the University of Exeter in early 2023, bringing with me extensive experience of partnership development between academia, private and public healthcare providers to the team.
Email: R.L.Cassidy@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Karen Knapp
Musculoskeletal Lead and Associate Professor in Musculoskeletal Imaging
I am Head of Department for Health and Care Professions and Lead for MSK in the Medical Imaging Centre. I developed an interest in osteoporosis during my first job as a Nuclear Medicine Radiographer and then went on to undertake a PhD in this area at King’s College London. My primary research interest continues to be bone health and osteoporosis, more recently developing expertise in other pathologies such as diabetes and particularly how these relate to bone health and fracture risk. I am committed to research-led teaching and using my experience and expertise to inspire the next generation of radiographers.
Email: K.M.Knapp@exeter.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1392 724133
Dr Abas Obotiba
Ultrasound Lead and Lecturer in Medical Imaging
Abas is a Diagnostic Radiographer with a strong interest in musuloskeletal imaging. He developed a research interest in imaging (untrasonography and MRI) markers of symptoms of osteoarthritis and was awarded a Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for Research Excellence to undertake a PhD in Academic Rheumatology.
Email: A.Obotiba@exeter.ac.uk
Dr Mike Gundry
Radiography Lead and Lecturer in Medical Imaging
I graduated in 2014 with a degree in Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Radiography) and developed an interest in research from there. I soon undertook a Masters by Research in Medical Imaging investigating Computer Assisted Diagnosis (CAD) in cervical spine imaging, working alongside the software team at City University and testing the software on doctors and radiographers at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital. I then completed my PhD in Medical Studies, investigating a new type of Stryker tibial cone implant and its impact on bone mineral density in total knee revision patients, completing it in 2021.
I have been involved in research determining bone mineral density via x-ray forearm imaging as part of an IBEX (OFFER1), helped investigate the feasibility and accuracy of using citizens to segment anatomy from medical images, and investigated different alignment techniques in total knee replacements in CT and long leg x-ray imaging.
Email: M.J.Gundry@exeter.ac.uk
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Medical Imaging Centre or would like to use any of our equipment, then please get in contact with us.
Email: MI-Centre@exeter.ac.uk
Telephone: 01392 722511
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