Magnetic Resonance Imaging, commonly referred to as MRI, provides an extraordinary look inside the human body. Unlike other techniques, MRI uses no x-rays or radiation but rather combines the naturally occurring force of a magnetic field with radio waves to produce signals that are reconstructed on a digital computer.

MRI generates highly detailed, cross-sectional images of soft-tissue structures near and around bones, blood vessels, organs and the brain. This unique technology has given us a remarkable window to the internal structure of the body and has become an invaluable diagnostic tool replacing many more invasive surgical procedures.

All MRI machines produce images as a result of the interaction between a strong magnetic field, the behavior of water molecules in the human body when exposed to this field and radio waves. Generally what makes one machine different from another is the strength of the magnet. This strength is measured in a unit called teslas. The stronger the tesla strength the better image and the faster the exam.

In order for the magnetic field to do its job, it must be contained with a finite space. The architecture of the machine is designed to accomplish this task. Originally all MRI's were constructed with a long, narrow tunnel called a bore. The bore helped to maintain the required magnetic field strength.

Later, variations were made to MRI architecture to accommodate the needs of different patients. For instance, the narrow, long bore could not accommodate very large or highly claustrophobic patients. An Open design was developed. But in order to eliminate the bore compromises needed to be made. The magnetic field was reduced from the standard 1.5 Tesla strength to .35 Tesla. We sacrificed some speed and image clarity but gained the ability to scan patients who otherwise would have been unable to have an MRI.

Today, a number of different MRI scanner types are in use. The difference between them revolves around magnet strength and the configuration of the bore (or tunnel). Technological advances continue to open possibilities for machine refinement.

Each scanner type serves a definite purpose in imaging. The EPIC Imaging family of centers maintains all important scanner types. Our highly skilled staff is always on call to help you and your physician determine which scanner type is most appropriate for your diagnostic need.

The Hitachi Altaire™ High Field Performance Open MRI has no tunnel and is the perfect scanner for large or claustrophobic patients. The Altaire™ represents a significant breakthrough in "open" technology. The magnet has a .7 field strength compared to the low 0.35 strength of other open scanners in use today. This translates into speed and image clarity. Scans times are twice as fast using the Altaire™, opening up a wide array of procedures previously possible only with traditional scanners.

The Siemens Symphony Short Bore MRI provides the best of both worlds with a high magnetic field for outstanding image resolution and an open architecture that significantly enhances patient comfort. The bore is very short posing little difficulty for all but the extremely claustrophobic. The 1.5 field strength allows for shorter scan times and enhanced imaging capabilities.

The Philips Intera 3.0 Tesla MRI is the first super high-field magnet placed in an outpatient clinical site in the U.S. This magnet has twice the field strength as conventional 1.5 tesla magnets and 10x the field strength of most of the open scanners currently in use. This added magnetic field strength results in substantially reduced scan times and drastically improved image resolution with finer detail. The magnet also features a roomy short-bore with the widest aperture in the industry so that claustrophobia is seldom a problem.

The human body is made up predominantly of water or H2O. MRI is based on the behavior hydrogen protons (the H in H2O) exhibit when subjected to radio waves within a magnetic field. The magnetic field of an MRI scanner causes the randomly positioned hydrogen protons of the human body to align and spin in the same direction. The machine then directs a radio frequency pulse toward the area of the body being examined. The pulse causes the protons to spin in a slightly different direction while simultaneously absorbing some of the energy from the pulse. The protons gradually release this absorbed energy which is measured by the MR machine and mathematically reconstructed on a computer to form highly detailed images.

MRI gives us minutely thin, cross-sectional views or "slices" of anatomic structure seen in a variety of planes. And because of its unique principles, magnetic resonance imaging has the ability to be tailored to answer specific diagnostic questions. The technology is capable of revealing even the most subtle differences in body tissues.

MRI yields impressively detailed pictures of soft-tissue structures near and around bones, blood vessels, organs and the brain. It is widely used to examine such diverse things as:

•  Spinal and joint problems
•  Small tears to tendons and ligaments
•  Sports injuries
•  Work-related disorders from repeated strain
•  Arthritis
•  Stroke
•  Reproductive Organs
•  Organs of the chest and abdomen

For more information on how to prepare for an MRI exam, click here.