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What is magnetic resonance imaging?

All hardware research is based on the laws of physics and chemistry. Magnetic resonance imaging is no exception. The complex name of this procedure is due to the elementary structure of tissues and the effect of magnetic field waves on them.

A cell of any kind of tissue includes water molecules (the human body is 90% water), which include hydrogen, and the hydrogen atom is the simplest in its structure - a nucleus plus an electron.

It was the hydrogen nucleus that became the starting point for the operation of the magnetic resonance imager, because it consists of one proton, which is influenced by a magnetic field, forcing the proton to change its position (turn). Returning to its original position, the hydrogen proton provokes the release of an energy flow from the nucleus of the hydrogen atom. The energy is captured as a signal and converted by a computer program into various color gradients. That is why the doctor sees pulsating multicolored spots on MRI scanners.

The color gamut of tissues that appears on the monitor screen depends on the speed with which the hydrogen protons return to their original position, and how much energy is released in this case.

For each type of tissue, the proton displacement under the influence of the magnetic field of the device (magnetic tomograph) has characteristic special fluctuations in the position of protons, which allows us to consider the differences in the structures of homogeneous tissues. Any abnormal tissue will appear (highlight) with a special color. So the specialist distinguishes between areas of color difference and, correlating them with anatomical structures, identifies anomalies (pathologies).

To consider structural changes in tissues or deep vessels, they are highlighted by injecting a contrast agent into the tissues or vessels that reacts to a magnetic field. For these purposes, gadolinium and its derivatives are used.

The magnetic field generated by a magnetic resonance imaging scanner is strong enough to dislodge a metal part or cause electrical disturbance in conductive materials. For this reason, there are contraindications for MRI in cases when metal structures have been implanted in a person, and electronic devices are connected that control and regulate the activities of any authorities. The strength of a magnetic field is able to change the operation of any electronic device, up to and including disabling it.

For some patients, an MRI scanner is a claustrophobic device that may also be a contraindication for scanning. One of the conditions for the success of the procedure is the immobility of the patient in the magnetic tomography chamber. For people who are unable to be immobile for some time, sedatives are taken a few minutes before the scan procedure.