Department of Biomedical Engineering

BME-417L – Medical Imaging Techniques

Semester: 6th (Spring 2024)

Lab Instructor: Engr. Abdul Hanan Taqi
Session: Spring, 2021

Teaching Assistant: Ms. Sawera Naseer Date:

Lab 01 Study and demonstration of working principle of Magnetic

Resonance Imaging

Name Reg. No. Marks

2021– BME –
 Experiment No. 1
Study and demonstration of working principle of Magnetic Resonance
Imaging

Objectives
• To understand the basic concepts of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• To know the basic parts of MRI Machine and how image is generated.
Introduction
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is also an imaging technique that is used to visualize the internal
body’s organs. It uses powerful magnetic field, radio-waves for imaging and visualization.
MRI is a safer option as compared to the CT scan, X-rays because it does not use any type of
ionizing radiations, that can cause damage or other harmful impacts on the body.

Working Principle
Our body contains hydrogen atoms, which are abundant due to the fluids present in our body.
The area being imaged is exposed and the hydrogen atoms of that part get aligned. When a
specific radio frequency (RF) applied to that area the aligned hydrogen atoms absorb energy
and temporarily change their alignment.
And when RF is turned off, hydrogen atoms become aligned again and emit energy which is
detected by receiver coils of the MRI machine.
By analyzing the emitted energy the MRI creates a detailed image of the internal body organs
being imaged. Moreover, contrast agents may be used to increase the image quality or to
clearly see the image, making it clear and readable. Several contrast agents may be used, such
as:
i. Manganese-based contrast agents
ii. Ultrasmall SuperParamagnetic Iron Oxide (USPIO) contrast agents
iii. Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs)

Parts of Machine
Explain the following three main parts of MRI Machine.

1. Power Supply Unit

It is responsible for providing the power to operate certain equipment and the electric
system or circuits needed to operate the MRI machine.
It consists of certain components like, resistors, transformers, rectifiers and capacitors
along with the electronic systems. Moreover, it also contains magnet, gradient coils, and
radiofrequency coils
 2. MRI Scanning Room
Magnet is the prominent part of the scanning machine, as it creates a smooth, uniform
magnetic field t align the hydrogen atoms in our body in order to get the image. The
magnet is usually housed within a large cylindrical structure, known as the bore, where
the patient lies during the scan.
Gradient Coils are present in the magnet to further produce the magnetic field of varying
strength in all spatial directions. They are used to encode spatial information into the MRI
signals and creates detailed images with precise anatomical localization.
Radiofrequency (RF) coils receive and transmit the radiofrequency signals. These coils are
placed around the patient's desired body part and are responsible for H-atom excitation
and creating MRI signals.
Patient Table can move in and out of the bore of the magnet. Patients lie down on this
table during the scan, and it can be adjusted for optimal positioning within the MRI
machine.

3. Console Room
It is the central process occurring in the MRI procedure. Where radiologists operates the
machine and includes the computer interface with user-friendly software for controlling
certain parameters of MRI.
Image processing and storage is an important process to get the clear image of any body
organ. This may include computer interface with several type of specific software for
image processing. The image first created digitally and for later review analyzed by
radiologists.
Control system it includes power lock, system interlocks, and several emergency shut
down mechanisms. Radiologists use these mechanism to start, stop and adjust the
machine and its parameters according to the condition.

Results

Figure 1.1: the Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine

 Figure 1.2: the Console Room

Figure 1.3: the MRI scan of Brain Figure 1.4: the MRI scan of Whole Body

Discussion
MRI has one of the following pros:
i. It provides a detailed imaging or internal visualization
ii. It is a non-invasive and multipolar imaging techniques as it allows imaging from
different planes, like, sagittal, axial, lateral, etc.
iii. It provides excellent imaging through the use of different and specific types of
the contrast agents, as discussed above.
MRI has one of the following cons:
i. It is most expensive as compared to X-ray and CT scan.
ii. It is a time-consuming process which may be uncomfortable for individuals.
iii. It is not readily available in many different areas due to its larger room that it
occupies and its expensiveness.
There are the following uses of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technique in biological
systems, it is used in the imaging of the following:
i. Brain
ii. Spinal cord
iii. Neuromuscular structure
iv. Vascular system
v. Breast
vi. Prostate
vii. Cardiac, abdominal and pelvic
viii. fMRI (measures the brain functioning, blood flow and oxygenation, etc in brain)

Conclusion
MRI is a powerful imaging technique for non-invasive visualization of the soft tissues or
internal body parts. It is most important in aiding and diagnosis of certain disorders that can
never be easily examined like, tumor’s different types, as found in brain and spinal.