Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Basics

MRI Basics

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used to produce high-quality images of the human body.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

• NMR is a spectroscopic technique used to obtain microscopic chemical and physical information about molecules.
• MRI is based on the principles of NMR.

History of MRI

• In the late 1970s, the term "nuclear" had negative connotations, leading to the use of "Magnetic Resonance Imaging" instead of "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging" (NMRI).

Evolution of MRI

• Initially, MRI was a tomographic imaging technique, producing an image of the NMR signal in a thin slice through the human body.
• Over time, MRI has advanced beyond tomographic imaging to become a volume imaging technique.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Overview

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique used in medical settings to produce high-quality images of the inside of the human body.

History of MRI

• Felix Bloch and Edward Purcell independently discovered the magnetic resonance phenomenon in 1946 and were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1952.
• Between 1950 and 1970, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was developed and used for chemical and physical molecular analysis.
• In 1971, Raymond Damadian showed that the nuclear magnetic relaxation times of tissues and tumors differed, motivating the consideration of magnetic resonance for disease detection.
• In 1973, the x-ray-based computerized tomography (CT) was introduced by Hounsfield, demonstrating hospitals' willingness to invest in medical imaging hardware.

Development of MRI

• In 1973, Paul Lauterbur demonstrated MRI on small test tube samples using a back projection technique similar to that used in CT.
• MRI has progressed from a tomographic imaging technique to a volume imaging technique, producing comprehensive images of the human body.