The History of MRI Machines

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine is a harmless and noninvasive diagnostic tool. It is used to detect abnormalities in the body and to produce images that can later lead to effective treatments. The MRI machine has become a widely used tool, helping in the diagnosis of anything from brain tumors to torn ligaments. But where did it begin and what does that mean for the medical field today?

Definition

• According to Merriam-Webster's Medical Desk Dictionary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI is a noninvasive diagnostic technique that produces computerized images of internal body tissues and is based on nuclear resonance of atoms within the body induced by the application of radio waves.

History

• Edward Purcell of Harvard University and Felix Bloch of Standford University were awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 1952 for magnetic resonance studies beginning in 1946. While magnetic resonance was being studied in the 1940s and 1950s, it was not until the 1980s that an MRI scanning machine was available as a diagnostic resource on humans.

Process

• MRI scanners are used as diagnostic tools. A magnetic field and radio waves are used to produce two-dimensional and three-dimensional cross-section images of the body. Images are then viewed on a computer and can be printed for closer evaluation.

Types

• Today, there are two main types of MRI machines. The first used and the most common type is a cylindrical tube that the patient is placed into. The tube is not large, and many with claustrophobia have difficulty with this type of MRI. There is a newer machine called an open MRI. This allows the patient, who is required to remain still throughout the testing, to see out on all four sides of the machine.

21st Century

• MRI machines of the 21st century are vital in diagnosing patients. While not every abnormality can be picked up by the machine, the MRI is relied on by doctors as a tool to help diagnose and treat patients.