Department of Biomedical Engineering

BME-417L – Medical Imaging Techniques

Lab Instructor: Engr. Abdul Hanan Taqi

Semester: 6th (Spring 2024)

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

Muhammad Arslan 2021– BME –110

 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, which 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 are aligned. When a
specific radio frequency (RF) applied to that area, the aligned hydrogen atoms absorb energy
and temporarily change their alignment.
In addition, 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:
 Manganese-based contrast agents
 Ultra small Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide (USPIO) contrast agents
 Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs)
Parts of Machine
Explain the following three main parts of MRI Machine.
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
MRI Scanning Room
Magnet: is the prominent part of the scanning machine, as it creates a smooth, uniform
magnetic field to 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.
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 mechanisms to start, stop and adjust the
machine and its parameters according to the condition.
Results:

Magnet MRI Scanner

Patient table

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 technique as it allows imaging from
different planes, like, sagittal, axial, lateral, etc.
iii. It provides excellent imaging with 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.