A scan control device located in the bore of an MRI system magnet includes tracking coils and a display. Location and alignment of the scan control device is tracked by the MRI system using signals acquired from the tracking coils. These signals are also used to update the scan parameters such that the scan plane of the image acquired by the MRI system is controlled by the scan control device location and orientation. The image is produced on the display to provide an attending physician with interactive control of the image from the magnet bore.