Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A tomographic imaging technique based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

A spectroscopic technique used by scientists to study structural and dynamical properties of atoms & molecules.

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Tomographic Image

A tomographic image is an image of a thin slice through an object.

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Volume Element (Voxel)

The signal in a voxel is mapped to the intensity of a pixel.

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Picture Element (Pixel)

The smallest element of a digital picture.

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History <

MRI Timeline

1946	MR phenomenon - Bloch & Purcell
1952	Nobel Prize - Bloch & Purcell
1950	NMR developed as analytical tool
1960
1970
1972	Computerized Tomography
1973	Backprojection MRI - Lauterbur
1975	Fourier Imaging - Ernst
1977	Echo-planar imaging - Mansfield
1980	FT MRI demonstrated - Edelstein
1986	Gradient Echo Imaging
	NMR Microscope
1987	MR Angiography - Dumoulin
1991	Nobel Prize - Ernst
1992	Functional MRI
1994	Hyperpolarized 129Xe Imaging
2003	Nobel Prize - Lauterbur & Mansfield

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Why MRI?

Attenuation of electromagnetic radiation by the body.

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Ionizing radiation.

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Where does the NMR signal come from?

Zooming in on a voxel...

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Copyright © 2000 J.P. Hornak.
All Rights Reserved.