The MRI machine used at the Eisenhower VA Medical Center gets around.

In addition to capturing internal images of patients at the Leavenworth Veterans Affairs hospital, the mobile MRI is used at Munson Army Health Center at Fort Leavenworth and the VA hospital in Topeka, according to Jim Gleisberg, public affairs officer for the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, which includes the Leavenworth and Topeka VA hospitals.

The MRI machine as well as a work area for technologists and a computer room are located in a trailer for a semitrailer, making it easy to transport the unit from one medical facility to another.

Gleisberg said the magnetic resonance imaging unit was purchased as part of a joint incentive fund project.

He said joint incentive fund money is awarded to projects involving both the VA and Department of Defense.

He said the mobile MRI was approved as a $3.6 million, two-year project.

At the end of the two years, ownership of the unit will fall to the VA. He said the machine still can be taken to Munson Army Health Center, but the Army will pay for the visits.

“We’ve had this unit since May,” said Joe Zuchowski, MRI supervisor.

He said the unit generally is set up at the Leavenworth VA hospital for at least two days a week.

Gleisberg said the unit initially was used only at the Leavenworth and Topeka VA hospitals because a cement pad had to be built at Munson.

Zuchowski said the images produced with the machine rival those of major university hospitals.

“The details we are able to see are wonderful,” said Dr. Jafar Amini, chief of radiology at the Leavenworth VA hospital.