MRI History

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During the late 1970's, the world of diagnostic imaging changed drastically due to the introduction of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, also known as MRI. For over 30 years, they have grown to become one of the most significant imaging modalities found in the hospitals and clinics ("EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND FACULTY INFORMATION"). During its ancient days, these machines were referred to as NMRI machines or, “Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” The term “nuclear” comes from the fact that the machine has the capability of imaging an atom's nucleus. Eventually, the term was dropped and replaced with just MRI, because “nuclear” did not sit well with the public view ("EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND FACULTY INFORMATION"). Many people interpreted the machine to produce an excess amount of radiation in comparison to the traditional X-ray machine. What many of them were unaware of, MRI does not disperse a single ounce of ionizing radiation making it one of the safest diagnostic imaging machine available to this date. MRI machines actually use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce high quality images consisting of precise details that cannot be seen on CT (Computed Tomography) or X-ray. The MRI magnet is capable of fabricating large and stable magnetic fields making it the most important and biggest component of MRI. The magnet in an MRI machine is measured on a unit called Tesla. While regular magnets commonly use a unit called gauss (1 Tesla = 10,000 gauss). Compared to Earth's magnetic field (0.5 gauss), the magnet in MRI is about 0.5 to 3.0 tesla range meaning it is immensely strong. The powerful magnetic fields of the machine has the ability to pull on any iron-containing objects and may cause them to abruptly move with great for...

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...ate content and information are designed to promote a safe MRI environment.
In conclusion, with all the facts being said, working with MRI machines may seem very challenging and very scary. Without the proper handling and correct safety precautions taken, several risk factors may be presented to the technologist and patients. It is vital that an MRI technologist be highly trained and educated in order to alleviate possible danger to patients and other personnels. MRI machines are highly used all over the world in order to diagnose and treat a good majority of the population's illness and diseases. They are capable of producing immensely detailed images that are unmatched to any other imaging modality. Though it is important to remember, the bigger the machine, the greater the risks and responsibilities both the patient and the technologist will be presented with.

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