subject: Mri Machine - Short Review [print this page] An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging device, works by using magnetism to align the hydrogen atoms in a body. The scanner detects the changes in alignment and produces an image based on these readings.
An MRI scan is one of the most common types of scans ordered for injuries and serious medical conditions.
MRI scans are able to show most body tissues. Tissues, like bones, that do not have much water in them, and therefore do not have much hydrogen, will appear dark on the scan. Other tissues will appear brighter. The scan will deliver two-dimensional pictures of the body, allowing the doctor to look layer by layer at the area being scanned. This can be turned into three-dimensional models on the computer that can be manipulated, allowing the doctor to see even more detail about the tissue before planning treatment. Blood flow can also be measured using an MRI scan, without the need for a contrast injection as other imaging techniques require.
The MRI machine
The MRI machine is a large, cylindrical (tube-shaped) machine that creates a strong magnetic field around the patient. The magnetic field, along with a radiofrequency, alters the hydrogen atoms' natural alignment in the body. Computers are then used to form a two-dimensional (2D) image of a body structure or organ based on the activity of the hydrogen atoms
There are two main types of MRI machines. Open and closed. They are both have a top over the patient. The main difference is in their size and how much the machine surround the patient. A closed machine is a smaller and more narrow tube and provides the best images.
An open MRI machine is open on three sides, making it more comfortable for the patient. However the images are not as good since the magnet is not traveling around the whole body.
An MRI is often used:
* to examine the heart, brain, liver, pancreas, male and female reproductive organs, and other soft tissues.
* to assess blood flow.
* to detect tumors and diagnose many forms of cancer.
* to evaluate infections.
* to assess injuries to bones and joints.
by: Uri Rappoport
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