= Developing New MR Sequences: Good Practice Guide = If you are developing IDEA or ICE sequences for the scanner at the CBU, please follow this practice. == Virus prevention == Viruses have been common on other machines in the scanner room, and we must take precautions to stop these ever being transferred to the scanner. In particular, please make sure you * Only use the two USB memory sticks labelled "Scanner only" for transferring sequences to the scanner. * Only put these USB sticks into CBU maintained computers that are running Anti-Virus software (NOT the stimulus delivery machines, which do not run antivirus and are often infected). == Acoustic resonances == Sequences that oscillate the gradients at particular frequencies can set up resonances that can damage the system. Please check all new sequences before using them on the Tim Trio. (add instructions for doing this here) == Sequence version control == Try not to: * Overwrite any sequence that someone else is using without letting them know * Change any sequence that is already in use (even in a way that improves it) without being absolutely sure none of the users will have a problem. I would suggest only allowing users to use "releases" of software, and not deleting earlier releases as new ones come along. For example, we could us EPI_ISSS_r01, EPI_ISSS_r02 and so on * Try to keep any users of your system, and the wiki record, updated so that everyone is aware of the strengths/pitfalls/versions of your sequences == Software upgrades == * In advance of any scanner software upgrade, work out whether it will break your sequence (probably!) and then alert your users that the sequence will stop working on this date. * Make upgrades available as soon as is practical. == Working in the facility - local rules == * Don't ever go in the magnet room unless you are accompanied by a radiographer or scanning buddy (who must have done the safety course). * Don't ever put a human volunteer in the scanner without a radiographer present * Read the SOPs