4. Get your loan for your facility and your magnet, including delivery.

5. Start general construction. Every move must be approved by your MRI job site supervisor. If you've done your homework and picked someone with the proper experience, that person knows the job. He makes sure everything is done right and everyone gets paid. Nothing slows him down and he has a backup plan for every problem.


6. Have your chosen MRI inspected by a professional while it is still set up. It's a must to test every coil and record SNR and serial numbers. Verify the testing personally or via video over the web. Ask for different scans T1, T2, diffusion ...of every coil. If you don't like the system, pay the testing person and get your deposit back. If the system needs repairs and you still want to purchase it, it is best to have it repaired before it's moved. Broken promises of later repairs in distant lands are lessons you don't need to learn. If you like the system, have the professional inspector seal the computer cabinets and consul before he leaves. Record all seal numbers and photograph everything at inspection as this is your point of sale.

7. Set up with the company to de-install. Never let the broker, trucker, salesman or handyman next door touch the system. Allow no service of the system and do not let anyone break any seals. It's upsetting to note, but many a good board is replaced with a weak board before the system ships or while it is in the warehouse in storage of a service company. I suggest you change the lock to avoid late-hour entry. I have gone as far as to post security in high-risk areas. Take all software and service documentation and service diagnostic software before you leave. Your contract should include the operating software and diagnostic software as part of the system. Some OEMs have been known to lock software and remove programs before shipping, requiring a new purchase of software to reactivate after re-installation. When purchasing used from an OEM and keeping OEM service there are very few if any software problems. One of my favorite installers always copies the hard drive at purchase and thus has a backup when needed. As a general rule, brokers and de-installers never release information to OEMs , service companies, or the competition as to the location of prospective sales to keep system and sale clean.

8. De-install, pack and ship. Pack in water and moisture resistant packing.

9. Rigging - unless you're in Europe, Japan, the U.S. or a port with some big fork trucks, you'll need a crane. Get a big one. Only use an MRI rigging company. Fly one in if you have to.

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