# MRIcontrast — An interactive MRI simulator

> Interactive MRI simulator for healthcare professionals to learn scan parameter effects. (iPhone/iPad app by SMRI Consulting.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mricontrast/id1185084588 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [SMRI Consulting](https://appshunter.io/developer/1185084587)
- Category: Medical, Productivity
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 4.10/5 from 19 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 107 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-03-08
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mricontrast/id1185084588/reviews.md

## What is MRIcontrast?

MRIcontrast™ is a truly interactive simulator for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The app is aimed at healthcare professionals working with MRI, who want to learn how scan parameters affect the MR image.

MRIcontrast™ visualizes realistic MRI images from various body parts and allows the user to change scan parameters (repetition time, echo time, flip angle, and many others). Also the magnetic field strength can be altered (1.5T or 3T). Any parameter change results in an immediate, real-time update of the MR image.

To facilitate for MRI-beginners, a built-in tutorial explains the meaning of each parameter and how it will affect the MR image. All imaging protocols are explained in detail, and guides are provided of how to learn and explore the various phenomena that can be studied.

MRIcontrast™ is delivered with a gallery of common sequence types (T1-, T2- and PD-weighted spin echo, T2*-weighted gradient echo with and without RF-spoiling, steady-state free precession (SSFP), balanced SSFP, inversion recovery, turbo spin echo, echo planar imaging etc), from which the user can explore the effects of changing the preset parameters.

In addition to viewing the images, the sound of the scanner can be played, and it also changes depending on the scan parameter settings.

Image features and MRI phenomena that currently are visualized in MRIcontrast™:
 - Contrast as function of TR, TE and flip angle
 - Signal-to-noise ratio
 - Fat/water in-phase and opposed-phase
 - Chemical shift artefact
 - Different image contrast and SNR at 3T vs. 1.5T
 - T2*-relaxation
 - Gradient echo imaging with and without RF-spoiling, including SSFP-Echo
 - Echo-planar (EPI) geometrical distortions
 - bSSFP (True FISP) banding artifacts

## Key features

- Interactive MRI image simulation
- Real-time parameter adjustment
- Visualizes contrast, SNR, and artifacts
- Supports 1.5T and 3T field strengths
- Built-in tutorial and guides
- Gallery of common MRI sequences
- Simulates scanner sound

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mricontrast/id1185084588/reviews.md

### 1/5 — No abdominal region, no transverse section of brain as it’s shown in the image

*2024-05-10*

Nope.. not the app you want to invest in

**Developer response:** Hello Alex,
You are right that there is no sagittal brain image (yet), but there is one planned for the coming 1-2 months, as well as a pelvic image.

Be aware that the purpose of the app never was to be an anatomical atlas, there are numerous other apps and sites that do that much better, but rather to be an app where the user can explore how different MRI scan parameters impact the image, not only in terms of image contrast, but also in terms of noise and image artifacts. We believe this purpose is achieved also with a limited number of anatomies, although we had wished for many dozens of different types of images.

Kind regards 
SMRI Consulting

### 2/5 — Way too much money

*2019-11-04*

Not worth the price, but the images are nice. Would be helpful to give some information about the techniques and what they are good for. Overall, I would not recommend this. What you see in the sample images is all you get

**Developer response:** From version 1.2, a detailed description of every imaging protocol is available, including descriptions of all changeable parameters. Regarding the images, please note that they are not static. The purpose of the app is to allow the user to change every imaging parameter and instantly see how the appearance of the image changes. This is unique, one-of-kind feature. To enter edit mode, just tap any image in the collection of imaging protocols.

### 5/5 — Good educational tool

*2017-04-28*

This is a good tool for MR radiographer and students learning basic sequence and tissue contrast.

## Frequently asked questions about MRIcontrast

### What is MRIcontrast?

MRIcontrast is an interactive simulator designed for healthcare professionals to learn how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan parameters affect MR images. It allows users to visualize realistic MRI images and adjust settings in real-time.

### Who is MRIcontrast for?

This app is specifically designed for healthcare professionals working with MRI, including radiologists, technologists, and students, who want to deepen their understanding of MRI physics and image acquisition.

### What scan parameters can be adjusted in MRIcontrast?

Users can adjust parameters such as repetition time (TR), echo time (TE), flip angle, magnetic field strength (1.5T or 3T), and many others. Changes are reflected immediately in the MR image.

### Does MRIcontrast offer guidance for beginners?

Yes, MRIcontrast includes a built-in tutorial that explains the meaning of each parameter and its effect on the MR image. It also provides detailed explanations of imaging protocols and guides for exploration.

### What types of MRI sequences are included in MRIcontrast?

The app features a gallery of common sequence types, including T1-, T2-, and PD-weighted spin echo, T2*-weighted gradient echo, steady-state free precession (SSFP), balanced SSFP, inversion recovery, turbo spin echo, and echo planar imaging (EPI).

### How much does MRIcontrast cost?

MRIcontrast is a paid application, available for $14.99. It does not appear to have any in-app purchases or subscription models.

### On which devices can I use MRIcontrast?

MRIcontrast is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is rated for ages 4 and up.

### How often is MRIcontrast updated?

The latest version of MRIcontrast is 2.1, which was last updated on February 4, 2021. This indicates a less frequent update cycle.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1 — 2021-02-04

- The gradient echo protocol now has RF-spoiling which can be turned on and off.
- A new steady-state free precession (SSFP-Echo) protocol has been added.
- All major types of gradient echo sequences can now be simulated.
- All protocols (sequences) now obey timing limitations set by the MRI scanner hardware (finite RF-pulse durations, gradient switching times, etc).
- Minor user interface enhancements.
- Bug fixes.

### 2.0 — 2021-01-26

Version 2.0 is a major upgrade. Several useful, but also cool, features have been added. For the first time, one can listen to the sound that is produced by the MRI scanner while the sequence is running! The new features include:

- The sound generated by the gradients can now be played by the app. The sound will change in real time when any parameters are modified.
- An option to restore the longitudinal magnetization has been added to spin echo and turbo/fast spin echo sequences.
- The user interface has been changed slightly, to make more efficient use of the screen size, so that more features can be added in future versions.
- For EPI sequences, the effective bandwidth along the phase-encoding direction is now displayed together with the readout bandwidth. (Thanks Jochen!)
- The calculations of timings, e.g., limits of echo times and repetition times, have been made more realistic, to respect the hardware limitations of a real MRI-scanner.
- The signal calculation of the turbo spin echo sequence (TSE/FSE) has been made more accurate, and the user interface is more responsive.
- Various minor bug fixes.

### 1.4 — 2020-07-30

- A new dataset containing vials with different T1 and T2 relaxation times has been added.
- All datasets have now an info button, which shows information about the specific features of the dataset and which protocols are available for use.
- A new protocol, FLAIR, or 'dark fluid', has been added.
- Fixed a GUI bug when STIR/FLAIR was used with the option "Freeze suppressed tissue".

### 1.3 — 2019-12-02

- A preferences menu has been added.
- In the preferences, it is possible to set the names of the MRI protocols according to Siemens, Philips, or GE style.
- Bug fixes and user interface enhancements. NOTE: it is known that some users could not use the EPI protocols. We cannot reproduce this bug, neither on simulators, nor on physical devices. We are working with Apple to resolve the problem.

### 1.2.1 — 2019-11-21

- Bugfixes for EPI.

## Apps similar to MRIcontrast

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Anatomy Lectures Head and Neck](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anatomy-lectures-head-and-neck/id425090784) | 2.0 (1) | $6.99 | Medical |
| [TEE Report App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tee-report-app/id1151149954) | — | $9.99 | Medical |
| [MR Imaging in Prostate Cancer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mr-imaging-in-prostate-cancer/id1033835797) | 4.0 (1) | $19.99 | Medical |
| [Thoracic Imaging Fundamentals](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thoracic-imaging-fundamentals/id893216950) | 5.0 (2) | $29.99 | Medical |
| [EverX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/everx/id1001002255) | — | Free | Medical |
| [Gyn Cancer Staging Atlas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gyn-cancer-staging-atlas/id1057703608) | 1.0 (1) | $19.99 | Medical |

## More apps by SMRI Consulting

- [MRIcontrast Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mricontrast-pro/id1308048595)

All apps by SMRI Consulting: https://appshunter.io/developer/1185084587

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*