MRI Types Explained: Closed-Bore vs. Open vs. Wide-Bore – What’s Right for Your Facility?

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One of the most important choices you'll make when purchasing an MRI system is the configuration type. At PrizMED, we help facilities weigh the pros and cons of each, because the right fit can impact everything from patient comfort and throughput to clinical capabilities and budget.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the three most common MRI types we help our clients choose between: closed-bore, open, and wide-bore systems.

Closed-Bore MRI Systems

Highest image quality, most common configuration

These are the standard in hospitals and diagnostic centers. The bore (or “tunnel”) is usually 60 cm wide, and the system offers top-tier image clarity, especially at higher field strengths like 1.5T or 3.0T.

Best For:

  • Facilities focused on high-resolution imaging
  • Neurology, cardiac, oncology, and advanced MSK studies
  • Hospitals and imaging centers that prioritize diagnostic accuracy

Considerations:

  • Some patients may feel claustrophobic
  • Standard bores can be tight for larger patients
  • Often used when precision is non-negotiable

PrizMED Tip: If your caseload includes complex studies or you're working with specialists, closed-bore systems offer the flexibility and image quality you’ll need to support them.

Open MRI Systems

Patient comfort and accessibility come first

Open MRIs have a much more open design, often with side or top access, which makes them ideal for patients who experience claustrophobia, have mobility challenges, or are pediatric.

Best For:

  • Facilities that serve anxious or larger-bodied patients
  • Outpatient centers, orthopedic clinics, and pediatric environments
  • Basic imaging studies that don’t require ultra-high resolution

Considerations:

  • Lower field strengths (usually 0.2T–1.2T)
  • Not ideal for neuro or detailed vascular imaging
  • Slower scan times and lower resolution

PrizMED Tip: Open MRIs are often overlooked, but in the right setting, like a comfort-focused outpatient clinic, they’re a great investment and can improve scan compliance dramatically.

Wide-Bore MRI Systems

The sweet spot between comfort and performance

Wide-bore MRI systems typically offer a 70 cm opening (vs. the standard 60 cm), which gives patients more space without compromising on imaging power. Many 1.5T and 3.0T systems come in wide-bore configurations.

Best For:

  • Facilities needing both high image quality and enhanced patient comfort
  • Mixed patient populations (pediatrics, bariatrics, anxious patients)
  • Clinics that want the advantages of closed-bore imaging without the drawbacks of tight spacing

Considerations:

  • Slightly higher cost than standard closed-bore
  • Still enclosed, so may not eliminate all claustrophobia concerns

PrizMED Tip: We often recommend wide-bore systems to clients who want one machine to serve a broader patient base without sacrificing speed or resolution.

Need Help Deciding? Let’s Talk Use Case First.

We’ve seen buyers lean toward the most advanced machine on paper, only to realize later that it doesn’t fit their space, patient needs, or budget.

At PrizMED, we take a step back with you and look at:

  • What kinds of studies you’ll be doing most often
  • Who your patients are (and how comfortable they need to be)
  • Whether your room and power setup will support the system long-term

Let’s walk through the options together. We’ll help you find a system that balances image quality, patient experience, and cost, without guessing.

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