A classic MRI machine.
The 'MRI Sex Organs' video has become something of an Internet Meme. Biologists have studied sexual anatomy for a long time, but somehow the popularity of this YouTube video seems a bit less than perfectly scientific.

Dr. Pek Van Andel and a team of scientists captured MRI images of a human couple having sex. The research was completed in 1999. In the video, the narrator explains that the couple was cramped in 'cloistered conditions', referring to the narrow tube-like space available in an MRI machine.

The results of their study; "The images obtained showed that during intercourse in the "missionary position" the penis has the shape of a boomerang and 1/3 of its length consists of the root of the penis. During female sexual arousal without intercourse the uterus was raised and the anterior vaginal wall lengthened. The size of the uterus did not increase during sexual arousal.

Why it’s Breakthrough: Think of an MRI machine. Now reduce it exponentially, so it’s portable, highly accurate and very, very fast. Throw in the ability to read nanoparticles and you’ve got a life-saving tool outside of a hospital, where a tool like this is often needed.

The Story: Marrying the success of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with nanotechnology, T2 Biosystems is changing the landscape of in-field diagnostics by miniaturizing MRI technology to measure cellular and molecular nanoparticles. This technology takes the best of MRI, but scales it to work with microliter sample volumes. The result is improved and mobilized patient care with immediate, accurate results for nearly every health condition, in virtually any setting.

Miniaturized magnetic resonance (MR) technology is changing the landscape of portable diagnostics, and T2’s proprietary technology, allows for rapid, efficient, accurate and portable diagnostics. When cells or molecules are read by T2Dx Instruments, any change in what is otherwise a characteristic signal by these cells or molecules is picked up by the miniaturized built-in magnets, detection coils and spectrometers within the MR detectors.

Currently, this technology accurately analyzes viruses, bacteria, proteins, hormones, DNA, small molecules and a number of other diagnostic targets. The Company is developing a pipeline of diagnostic products based on its technology, including devices for hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and medical offices, as well as individual patients.

T2 Biosystems was founded in 2006 by renowned researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, and has assembled a world-class team, board of directors and scientific advisory board that collectively have a proven track record of translating technologic innovations into breakthrough products, building significant corporate value. Engineering efforts at T2 Biosystems are focused on making portable, miniaturized magnetic-resonance based readers with accompanying fluidics and electronics systems. T2 Biosystems is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.