What Everyone Must Know Inside MRI Machine

What Does MRI stand for?

MRI means Magnetic Resonance Imaging, it is called this was and it is based on the usage of a magnetic field to be able to make images of various organs and parts of the body, best MRI usage can be utilized when doing brain images, tendons images, cancer cells detection, Knee images and many more organs can be scanned. Since it is not based on radioactive material MRI is considered a safe way to get organs images. those who have pacemakers and other metal-based devices are not allowed to be near MRI devices.

How Does an MRI Work?

MRI devices utilize the fact that when the hydrogen atom is magnetized, the magnetic spin of the relaxation of the hydrogen atom more precisely the proton tends to go to the positive pole more than the negative pole.

This slight variation makes it possible for the MRI to have an image acquisition by using scanners to detect such proton behavior this allows the Doctor to able to see clearly through various organs and tissues. Since Hydrogen is found in water, and water is the base of all tissues and organs image creation is possible for almost all the human body.

How long is an MRI session?

Usually, the session is between 15-30 minutes on average but this can vary based on the organ that needs to be scanned and the area that the doctor wants to see. The annoying things about this process are that the patient needs to stay still for the entire scanning process and most MRI devices are closed, so if you are claustrophobic that would be a problem, however, now there are open MRI devices that can be less annoying to patients.

Why Are MRIs Loud?

In addition to the relatively long session, MRI machines make noises that are considered very loud to many patients. The sounds that are generated are due to the high electric currents running through the MRI coils during magnetization of the electric temporary magnetic field. This magnetic field is different than that of the permanent magnet of the super magnet and is used to further excite the hydrogen protons in the body.

Open MRI

How Strong is the Magnet Inside MRI?

To have the Hydrogen atom "magnetized" a 0.2 to 0.3 Tesla magnet is needed, however, this is the minimum power of the magnet, nowadays there are MRI machines that have magnets as strong as 3 Tesla that is approved to be used for Human Imaging purposes. Moreover, some research centers have MRI machines that are as strong as 9 Tesla. As the stronger the magnet the better the image quality can be generated.

Where can MRI Machine be installed?

Being a biomedical engineer in a hospital, you need to know where is the best place an MRI can be installed, not only due to the size of the machine and its staggering weight but also due to other issues that are as follows:

• MRI machines must be away from any radio-frequency generators like coils of elevators and Mobile antennas  
• Room isolation is needed, however, the isolation is not Lead isolation like X-Ray based devices it is a copper isolation. Usually to reduce the effect of radio frequencies coming from outside the MRI that will affect image quality.
• Building structure must be able to withstand the weight of this mammoth
• The MRI needs to a chiller that is usually installed near it in another smaller room. This chiller used liquid nitrogen oxide that is highly flammable and expandable that has a high risk of fire if not handles properly.
•  Liquid helium is needed to further cool the superconductive magnet since helium is an inert gas you might think that it is easily handled. Well, think again, as the there are worldwide helium shortages and helium leakage from an MRI can be your worst nightmare. 
• The power consumption of an MRI is an issue that needs to be taken into consideration as well as the machines have a relatively high standby power consumption. 
• In the case of helium leakage, helium is an odorless gas that can replace oxygen in the entire MRI room in a blink of an eye, so an MRI Helium Quench Pipe needs to be in the MRI room.

Are there Different types of MRI machines?

Yes, due to the many uses of MRI machines, nowadays there are many variations of MRI machines that are used for various purposes, the most exciting of them is the intraoperative MRI machine that is found inside the Operation room!

In addition to this, there are the open MRI machines that as we mentioned earlier can be less fearful to some of the patients that are young or claustrophobic. Also, there are MRIs that have various magnet powers as the higher the power the higher the cost of the machine but you will benefit from its better ability to create higher resolution images.

Some manufacturers of MRI machines like Philips are now allowing for the concept of having their MRI devices upgradable to newer versions by replacing parts of the machine. This allows for significant cost cuts in the hospital budget that wants to do such an upgrade. However, Philips MRI machines are high Helium/cryogen consumers, so maybe, in the long run, the savings might be outrun by your costs.

Newer MRI devices are now designed to consume fewer amounts of helium per year, especially those designed by Siemens, that also allows for further cost cuts in the yearly expenses of newer MRI devices compared to older versions that have less magnetic power and higher operating costs.

Conclusion

MRI machines are one of the most interesting medical imaging devices, whereby being one of the safest imaging techniques available and sometimes the most reliable, it is very nice to be able to know more about this mammoth machine.

Here you can see inside an MRI machine and how a super magnet is a solid block can be dangerous due to the need of liquid cooling helium how that could be very dangerous if a leakage takes place or accidental release of this gas into an MRI room in a hospital!

Most MRI manufacturers are looking forward to reducing helium gas consumption and wastage in their newer versions of MRI devices due to the increasing rise in helium gas prices globally. This is now being a growing concern for many hospitals and medical imaging centers around the globe.

So what do you think of the various problems that are realted to MRI machines? How are you dealing with helium prices problems? Please let us know in the comments section below.