Compared to the ultrasound and CT scan, the physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a bit complicated. It is a vast process that involves numerous parts. Here, we will try to break down those parts for you so that you can understand the physics around it. Therefore, here is everything that you need to know about the physics of this process.

What are the four parts of this process?

To understand the fundamental concept of the physics of MRI, you have to understand the four parts of it. So, here are the four parts that we are talking about.

• Preparation

It is the first part of the process. Here, the patient will stay in a static magnetic field. The MRI machine will be responsible for creating this static magnetic field. There are plenty of hydrogen atoms in our bodies. The nucleus of that atom is known as a proton. It comprises a feature of intrinsic magnetization which is known as spin. The spin magnetization vector will rotate around a magnetic field following a frequency named Larmor Frequency. Therefore, the magnetization of protons will take place that will result in the protons getting aligned with the magnetic field parallel.

• Excitation

During the process of image acquisition, the scanner will emit a radio frequency pulse. So, whenever you tune to the Larmor frequency, the RF pulse will reach its resonance. Therefore, it will generate phase coherence when the proton spins are spinning precisely. You can choose the duration of the RF pulse in such a way that the spin magnetization becomes perpendicular to the magnetic field. When you put a receiving coil in the vicinity of tissue, it will generate an electric current with the help of transverse magnetization in the electric coil by Faraday Induction. This process creates some signals known as nuclear magnetic resonance signals.

• Spatial Encoding

The experts achieve spatial encoding with the help of magnetic field gradients. To be precise, they use the spins of various protons that are present in different locations. The spins of those protons are different according to the location of them. The associated current as well as gradient coils create a force in the coils known as the Lorentz force. Here, the experts will turn on and off the gradients quickly so that it can gain a vibration. Those vibrations are responsible for the sound that MRI makes.

• Signal acquisition

Whenever you are using a magnetic field gradient, the NMR signals will acquire various frequencies. These frequencies are based on the different spin position of the tissues. Once the sampling is done, the experts will digitalize it. It will comprise contributions from numerous spatial locations that the pixels will represent in the image.

• Standard Exam

It is the final scientific step of the process. According to the standard exam protocols, the experts will extract various images. The study of the exam depends on the study of the anatomy as well as the expected pathology, and the reference of the radiologists.

So, these are the scientific aspects of MRI. To know more about this, you can visit the Radiology center at Harding. It is situated in Morristown, New Jersey.