Magnetic Resonance Imaging principles of magnetism, and the intrinsic

angular momentum of subatomic particles.

MRI machines are composed of
The medical world is vastly growing tremendously strong electromagnets which
in its complexity and in-depth abilities to develop a magnetic field strength(B) of
diagnose and create treatments for various 1.5-3 tesla(T). To put this into perspective
injuries, syndromes, and diseases. Often, 4
that is equivalent to between 3.0 x 10 - 6.0
these medicinal remedies are attributed 4
solely to the talents of the medical x 10 times the magnetic field strength(B)
professionals of which create in-depth of earth. Magnets at such strengths can alter
pharmaceutical regimens, perform intensive the magnetic fields of specific molecules
analytical examinations, and detailed life and subatomic particles. Polar molecules
saving surgeries. However, many great such as H2O are classified polar due to their
scientists and engineers have paved the path imbalance of charge causing them to
to facilitate these incredulous medical maintain slightly positive and slightly
practices. One such example of this is the negative boundaries in the molecule; refer to
vast expansion of medical treatments image 1.1.
accredited to diagnoses made from careful
examination of images created by a
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
machine.
MRI machines display biomedical
engineering and the principles disclosed by
the work of many physicists, the incredible
underlying physics of which will be
discussed throughout the remainder of this
paper. MRI scans are a noninvasive type of
imaging used to differentiate between a
variety of internal tissues by creating three Image 1.1- H2O molecular structure
dimensional corporeal images. Images are
produced from a series of slices, each This slight imbalance of charge
ornamented by excitations of decaying distribution allows the molecule to maintain
transverse magnetization of a flipped proton an electric dipole which in turn acts as a tiny
decoded by advanced algorithms, both bar magnet, producing its own minuscule
constructively and destructively interfering magnetic field. The human body consisting
with each other to form a final image.
Images produced by MRI’s can be useful in of roughly 60% water (H2O) makes it the
detecting and diagnosing diseases, the origin perfect molecule to scan for. However, to
of injuries, treatment monitoring, and even delve even deeper one could target analysis
contribute a great deal to neurology research at the subatomic level. Protons within
regarding brain activity and cognitive hydrogen atoms can be analyzed to further
functions. All these medical discoveries and aggrandize understanding and additionally
achievements would not be possible without help to pinpoint assessments of the body due
the foundational physics principles on which to the increase in available hydrogen atoms
these machines are based. found within fats (CH3(CH2)nCOOH) and
Magnetic resonance imaging is carbohydrates ((CH2O)n).
fundamentally based on the physics
 Quantum physics has shown protons magnetic field of the MRI, protons within
to have an intrinsic property of spin, just as the body experience an extensive magnitude
innately inherent as mass and charge. of torque which physicists refer to as the
Quantum spin can be called the resonance dipole moment strength. In this example of
frequency of a subatomic particle or its MRI machines, the magnetic dipole moment
intrinsic angular momentum. Simply put, occurs when the protons align with the
spin is the natural tendency of a subatomic magnetic field of the MRI itself. Effectually
particle to rotate continuously on its own the sum of these magnetic moments
axis. As has been established by physicists, subsequently creates a net magnetization
accelerating charges are the incipient of vector within the body.
magnetic fields; henceforth, this This net magnetic field aligns with
fundamental precession of the proton within the Z axis and will remain constant until the
a hydrogen atom will cause a small magnetic field is altered or Radio Frequency
magnetic field which can be attributed to the (RF) pulses are administered. This
centripetal acceleration of its positive alignment of the proton’s precession with a
charge. larger magnetic field allows for
In normal circumstances the magnetization to occur 100% longitudinally.
orientation of protons precession is random The machine then sends specified Radio
and probabilistic causing their individual frequency pulses, created by applying an
magnetic fields to cancel out. However, alternating current at specific frequencies,
when placed within a magnetic field of large from the gradient coils towards the
magnitude, such as that of an MRI, protons longitudinally aligned protons within a
will shift to align their individual magnetic o
specific slice of the body. These 90 RF
fields respectively parallel or antiparallel pulses cause the aligned protons to flip,
with that of the external magnetic field in consequently instigating their magnetic field
which they are placed. Approximately 50% to occur perpendicular to the net
of the protons will align antiparallel and o
50% parallel, with a very slight skew in the magnetization vector. This 90 turn alters
parallel direction. These few extra protons the individual magnetic fields of the protons
aligned in the parallel direction enable a net to occur 100% in the transverse plane or
magnetization vector aligned in a parallel along the X axis. This perpendicular
orientation. alignment will not last long as the magnetic
This principle of a proton's rotation field along the longitudinal Z axis is much
when placed in a large magnetic field can be stronger than that of the few individual
referred to as a magnetic moment. A magnetic fields of the protons aligned along
moment can be defined in simple terms as “a the transverse X axis. This considerable
turning force around a fixed point,” difference in transverse and longitudinal
(Moments | Forces and Motion | Physics magnetic fields stimulates protons to realign
2023). Moments can be calculated as the longitudinally. However, the protons realign
force compelling an object to rotate with the longitudinal magnetization rather
multiplied by the distance of circumvolution counterintuitively. Rather than restoring its
achieved. Before entering the MRI machine, longitudinal magnetization by following a
the sum of the small magnetic moments in direct two-dimensional path between the X
the body are equal and opposite allowing and Z axis’ a proton’s individual
one to maintain a magnetic equilibrium. magnetization vector accelerates
However once one enters the considerable centripetally upwards three-dimensionally in
a spiraling motion gradually losing its
transverse magnetization until 100% of the shown in image 1.3, each proton will
longitudinal magnetization is restored. To experience the field slightly differently.
gain a more tangible understanding of this
principle refer to image 1.2. This restoration
is recognized as dephasing and is
characterized by the imminent and
exponentially occurring recovery of the
proton’s longitudinal magnetization.

Image 1.3- Example of a Concentric

Circular Magnetic Field

The term representing this axiom is

the T2* constant which can be defined as the
Image 1.2- Pathway in which Net
speed of protons dephasing as an
Magnetization Vector follows
exponential decay in proton spin
synchronization due to slightly altered
Throughout a proton’s period of magnetic field strengths throughout the
dephasing two instances are acutely whole. This constant is customarily
imperative to record, these two precise times interdependent with T2* effects which cause
are established as the T1 and T2 times. T1 increasingly asynchronous dephasing and
relaxation accounts for the period of time it image distortion. Over time a proton’s
takes for an adjacently magnetized proton to dephasing becomes so intrinsically strong
recover 63% of its longitudinal that it no longer is responsive to the initial
magnetization. T2 decay refers to the o
90 RF pulses and T2* effects are imminent.
combined signals of a proton's realignment An MRI scan which fails to
and represents the duration of time it takes overcome T2* effects will often portray
for a proton to lose 63% of its transverse large dark distorted areas which cannot be
magnetization. These recorded times will be well interpreted. Thankfully, physicists and
inherently contrasting within different technicians fabricated a means by which the
tissues helping to differentiate between issue of T2* effects can be solved; T2*
tissue types. o
Another key occurrence effects can be combated by sending a 180
professionals must be mindful of while RF pulse to resync protons pression and
sending and recording RF pulses is the further adjust their alignment back towards
concept of T2* effects. Dephasing is a the longitudinal axis. This concept may be
complicated process to calculate due to the hard for one to understand while noting that
slightly contrasting magnetic field each proton experiences dephasing
strengths(B) experienced by each individual individually suggesting that spin and
proton. Because a magnetic field is not alignment ranges hugely, however a simple
produced strictly uniformly but rather analogy can be used to conceptualize this
follows a concentric circular pattern as solution. In the well-known children's story,
the tortoise and the hare, two animals race at
innately different speeds. Both leave the
same starting line and proceed to follow the
same course at inherently different speeds.
However, if one were to momentarily pause
the race and tell the two animals to turn
around and retrace their steps racing back
towards the start line the two would arrive at
the start line at the exact same time. This
logical example parallels the proton's
o
response to 180 RF pulses. Regardless of
the degree of a proton's misalignment and
asynchronous spin, each proton will
experience a torque forcing them to realign
parallel and synchronize with one another.
o
Signals from these 180 RF pulses are called
echos and are distributed in specifically
designed patterns called spin echo
sequences.
As protons dephase excitations
occur. Excitations are quantized vibrations
which are transmitted towards the gradient
coils and read as unique signals. Excitation
signals recorded at the T1 and T2 times are
essential for creating millimeter(mm)
resolution images. Along with excitations
from dephasing at T1, and T2 times, the
change in magnetic fields also induces a
current in the surrounding gradient coils,
which additionally display a variety of
signals in which many complex
mathematical algorithms are responsible for
decoding and computing into stripped
patterns of specific image slices. Numerous
slices are then categorized and layered
expertly with one another constructively and
destructively interfering to create an
in-depth anatomical image. Thus, forming a
finalized MRI scan. This biomedically
engineered portrayal of advanced physics
principles, formed based on magnetic
resonance, helps illustrate the importance of
physicists and engineers within the medical
world and the variety of life-saving
diagnostics they facilitate.
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