How does a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machine Work?

The magnetic resonance imaging machine is not quite as complicated as many people think. It uses simple processes to accomplish very complicated and tedious tasks. The purpose of this article is to provide a simple walkthrough of the MRI process. The MRI machine applies a radio frequency pulse that is specific only to hydrogen. The magnetic resonance imaging machine system directs the radio frequency pulse toward the area of the body that one would like to examine, the brain for example.

This hydrogen specific radio frequency cause the protons in that certain area, in this case the brain, to absorb the energy required to make them spin in a different direction, a.k.a. resonance. The radio frequency pulse forces them to spin at a particular frequency as well as in a particular direction. All radio frequency pulses are applied through a coil. Magnetic resonance imaging machines comes with varying coils specifically designed for different parts of the body. The coils are made to contour to the form of the body part being imaged, or at least reside very close to it during the scanning process.
 
At approximately the same time, three different gradient magnets begin their work. They are arranged inside the main magnet in such a way as to when they are turned off and on at a very rapid pace in a specific manner, they actually alter the main magnetic field in a localized area. This allows the MRI to see exactly what the user wants to see.

When talking about magnetic resonance imaging machines, one speaks of planes or slices. Picture a layered cake if you will, now imagine it being cut into slices as thin as a few millimeters. That will give one an idea of the kind of picture the MRI is taking. Instead of slicing cakes, the MRI can slice any part of the body and practically in any given direction. The neat part is that the patient does not have to move a muscle, the machine does the moving!

Once the magnetic resonance machine is turned off, the data is sent to a computer and presto, a detailed image of your brain (or any given body part). It’s that simple!