Center for Imaging Research

Investigator Agreement

In 2005, MCW, with augmentation from federal grants, purchased and installed two state-of-the-art 3T GE Signa Excite Scanners. One is located on the first floor of the Froedtert Pavilion. The other is in the new imaging building adjacent to the Department of Biophysics.  The payment of the annual costs for maintaining the scanners has been entrusted to the Center for Imaging Research (CIR).  The CIR has established recharge centers for each 3T scanner.  The scanner fees are calculated based on 100% collection compliance.  With 100% compliance, the CIR can continue to charge some of the lowest scanner research fees in the country.   By signing this document, you, as the responsible investigator, indicate that you understand your responsibilities for complying with these policies and procedures.  As you might expect, noncompliance can lead to loss of scanner privileges. 

1.  Unused and Cancelled Scanner Time
 

•    25% of the full charge will be made for cancellations made up to 14 days of the assigned time slot.

•    No charge will be made for cancellations made more than 14 days before the assigned time slot.

•    There will be no charge for any cancelled time that is used by another investigator.  

There will be no charges for time that was cancelled because of the malfunction or failure of scanners, or major CIR-maintained equipment.  This does not include failure or malfunction of investigator-provided equipment or the lack of availability of research subjects.

2.  Overdue Scanner Charges

On rare occasions, investigators repeatedly have failed to pay their scanner charges, despite multiple billings and requests.  Investigators whose billed charges are more than 90 days past due will be given notice that their use of scanner facilities will be withheld, if all billed charges are not paid within 30 days of that notice.

3.  General Development and Maintenance Scanner Time

General development and maintenance are critical to keep our scanners in a “state-of-the-art” condition.  As such, scanner fees will not be charged for this time.  Development time is defined as work on and testing of “products,” such as pulse sequences, data processing routines, equipment, etc. that is of general use to the user group.  This does not include the development or testing of methods or equipment by an investigator specifically for his/her research project. 

4.  Institutional Review Board Compliance

Investigators will not be allowed to scan human subjects without an approved IRB protocol.  Scan operators will review consent forms to determine if they are current.   

5.  Scanner Billing

In the past scanner, bills have not been itemized by date and project, leading to confusion in interpreting bills.  Monthly statements will now include this information.
 

Investigator Name   MD PhD Both Ms Mr

  I agree to comply with these rules and regulations.