Open MRI - Shields

Schedule an MRI.

We have an open MRI near you.

Shields has more open MRI machines than any provider in New England. We're here for you.

Shields has more than 20 locations that offer high-strength open MRI machines, including five advanced 3T options. Our open-bore machines can accommodate patients up to 500 lbs.

What to Expect

Every open MRI at Shields is a high-strength, which means that your doctor gets the quality image he needs and you get a comfortable experience designed to ease anxiety.

plenty of headroom

Shields’ 60-70 cm opening is wider from top to bottom than a true open bore is. For a claustrophobic patient, this means the machine is farther away from their face.

scan time is up to 8x faster

1.5T & 3T open MRI are up to 8x faster than lower strength machines, reducing patient exam time, which really matters to a claustrophobic patient.

most scans are done with the head outside the mri machine

Particularly with orthopedic studies, most of the MRI scans can be done with the head outside of the scanner.

Christine Lindsey, Chief MRI Technologist at Shields MRI, talks about the comfort and quality of our open MRI machines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is your MRI open on three sides?

We’re asked this question. A lot. Our answer is no – and with good reason.

- The quality of the images is higher on our 1.5T & 3T open MRI machines.

- The gold standard for MRI is 1.5T strength and those open on three sides are a lower strength.

- Our radiologists recommend the images from the 1.5T & 3T open-bore MRI machines for the best diagnosis.

What is the weight limit for your open MRI machines?

Our open machines can hold up to 550lbs.

What's the difference between an open bore and a closed bore?

At Shields, our 1.5T & 3T open bore MRI machines offer a wide opening between 60-70 cms and a shorter bore length, giving a much more spacious and comfortable experience without compromising image quality.

A traditional, closed MRI has a longer bore and has an opening that is about 45 cm.

Why does MRI strength matter?

The strength of the MRI machine is measured in teslas - the higher the tesla, the better the image. Radiologists prefer very detailed images to make the most accurate diagnosis.

1.5T or tesla is the gold standard in MRI today and anything lower than that - like a 1.2T or 1.0T - can compromise the quality of the image and impact diagnosis.

What does 70 cm of headroom look like?

When it comes to comfort, headroom is key. Our open MRI machines offer the maximum amount of headroom with 60-70 cm.

Download: 5 things to know about our open MRI

The patient experience

From the moment you walk in to Shields, we try to make you as comfortable as possible.

Industry News

02 May 2014 --- Radiographer smiling at girl inside CT scanner --- Image by © Phil Boorman/Corbis

1.2T, 1.5T, 3T MRI - What's the difference?

Schedule your screening today.

Call 800-258-4674

What Others Are Saying

I have been here many times. I usually have a brain MRI once a year. I'm very claustrophobic. That being said, the people that work here, from check in until the time I leave, are very empathetic and caring. They talk to me the entire time. At the beginning of the scan they let me know how long each scan is going to be. They always ask if I'm doing ok. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Mary Ann S. - Worcester

Very clean friendly place. They made sure I was comfortable checked in on me . Informed me about every image they were taking and the longevity of each image. Highly recommend this location.

Ariann Rice - Woburn

I went for an MRI today, nervous and anxious as can be!!! Checking in was the most kindest, empathetic secretary...she was able to calm me down. I had a problem with my order note, she handled all of that! I had my daughter with me which was a blessing..then my name is called! Although I made it through the test, thanks to the tech who talked to me through the test and also very empathetic!! From the front desk to the test to checking out was a pleasure! Beyond professional, made me feel so comfortable!! I would recommend Shields MRI to everyone!!

Debbie Donovan - Weymouth

When you’ve been to other locations for an MRI, it really makes you appreciate a place like this. The check-in process is done with an iPad — finally a place that is with the times! The front desk manager is terrific: superb customer service, REAL, easy to talk to, and with a beautiful outlook on how health care should be. They even have headphones that play any Sirius XM station of your choosing. When other MRI locations blindside you and make this already-scary process intolerable, it makes an experience like the one at Shields so much more wonderful.

Jamie Bichelman - Brighton

Find an open MRI near you.

Gardner – Shields MRI at Heywood Hospital

242 Green St, Gardner, MA 01440, USA

Tufts Medical Center and Shields MRI (Tufts Campus)

800 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA

Shields MRI at Emerson Health Center

133 Littleton Road Westford, MA 01886

Shields MRI at Emerson Hospital

133 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner Concord, MA 01742

Lewiston, ME – Shields MRI at Central Maine Medical Center

12 High Street, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA

Hyannis – Cape Cod MRI Wilken’s Outpatient Complex

35 Wilkens Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601, USA

Hyannis – Shields MRI at Cape Cod Hospital

27 Park St, Hyannis, MA 02601, USA

Falmouth – Shields MRI at Falmouth Hospital

Falmouth Hospital, 100 Ter Heun Dr, Falmouth, MA 02540, USA

Worcester – Shields MRI at UMass Memorial – University Campus

55 North Lake Avenue, Worcester, MA 01605, USA

Topsham, ME – Shields Imaging at Topsham Outpatient Care Center

105 Topsham Fair Mall Road, Topsham, ME, USA

New Bedford – Shields MRI at St. Luke’s Hospital

361 Allen St, New Bedford, MA 02740, USA

Lowell – Shields MRI at Lowell General – Saints Campus

1 Hospital Dr., Lowell, MA 01854

Greenfield – Shields MRI at Baystate Franklin Medical Center

164 High St, Greenfield, MA 01301, USA

Worcester – Shields MRI at UMass Memorial – Shrewsbury St.

214 Shrewsbury St, Worcester, MA, USA

Framingham – Shields MRI Framingham

14 Cochituate Road, Framingham, MA, USA

Boston – Tufts Medical Center & Shields MRI – Dorchester/Milton

161 Granite Ave, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Springfield – Shields Health and Baystate Health – Wason Ave

80 Wason Ave, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Yarmouth – Cape Cod MRI Yarmouth

2 Iyannough Rd, West Yarmouth, MA, USA

Wellesley – Shields MRI Wellesley

54 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA, USA

Lowell – Shields MRI at Lowell General Hospital

295 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA, USA

Dartmouth – Shields MRI Dartmouth

313 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth, MA, USA

Boston – Shields MRI Brighton

385 Western Avenue, Brighton, MA, USA

Woburn – Winchester Hospital-Shields MRI at Unicorn Park

200 Unicorn Park Drive, Woburn, MA, USA

Weymouth – Shields MRI Weymouth

26 Rockway Avenue, Weymouth, MA, USA

Brockton – Shields MRI Brockton

265 Westgate Dr, Brockton, MA 02301

Schedule a scan.

CALL 800-258-4674

About Shields MRI

Shields is the leading MRI provider in New England offering cutting-edge technology, experienced clinical expertise and caring providers - all at a price that is affordable. Shields has more than 30 locations throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.