Zoe's mini-MRI has an upgrade to help children

Zoe Keates, Senior Play Specialist on Coxen Ward, has been working on her mini-MRI project for several years now and has just finished the latest model. 

Back in 2016, Zoe produced a remote-controlled MRI scanner toy model with noises to help explain to children what MRI scanners are and what happens during a scan.  She initially worked alongside Clinical Engineering Manager Yoryd Khatri (who has since left RNOH) so now Zoe’s husband has taken on the project and is helping do the engineering side of things. 

The latest model has had a complete make-over and has new features which include LED lights to resemble the lights inside the scanner itself, as well as a choice of music played in the background during the scan.  This new model is still remote-controlled, and the children can play with it and make the bed go in and out, as well as have some fun playing with the different lighting modes. 

Since Zoe started the project, many children have managed to complete their scans without having a general anaesthetic or sedation.  Zoe’s aim has been to reduce the number of general anaesthetics children have during their treatment journeys as having an anaesthetic comes with risks. It also takes up a bed space, nursing time, anaesthetic and recovery time. It also costs more and, generally, the child is in the hospital for up to four hours afterwards. 

Consequently, it is much safer and more cost effective to prepare children by having the play team to first encourage them to try their scans awake. The play team receive referrals and prepare the children and once a month they have a dedicated paediatric MRI day where they can potentially see up to eight children over four-hours.  This has been working very well and a play specialist is on hand during a child’s scan if they have any anxieties. 

Zoe said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone supporting me on this innovative project. In particular to the Evie Dove Foundation who funded the 3D printing of my new model, Coxen Ward managers for the circuit boards, Josef at Champion 3D in London for printing my model, and especially to my husband Michael for doing the electrical engineering and designing of the new model. 

“I also would like to mention Yoryd Khatri. Even though he doesn’t work at RNOH anymore, without him I wouldn’t have managed to have produced my first model.  We had a lot of fun working together and will forever be grateful for our Finalist Award at the NHS Innovation EXPO in Manchester in 2016. 

"I hope to continue developing my model and produce 3D printed accessories to enhance the play preparation experience for children. My ideal way forward is to manufacture and sell models to hospitals to use with their patients as well as ours.”