An MRI scanner is made up of four components: the magnet, gradient coils, r.f. transmitter and receiver, and the computer. In this section the general design and construction of these components is discussed. More specific details of the system used for the experiments in this thesis are given in the relevant chapters. 2.6.1 The Magnet. 1. Magnet. At the heart of an MRI scanner lies a powerful magnet, generating a strong magnetic field. This magnetic field aligns the protons in the patient's body, crucial for signal generation during imaging. MRI magnets vary in strength, with higher-field magnets offering greater image resolution but often requiring higher capacity cooling systems.
Uses of MRI Scanning. Magnetic resonance imaging can produce highly sophisticated and highly detailed images of the human body. Generally speaking, MRI scanning is excellent for visualising soft tissue - and so it is often used in the detection of tumours, strokes and bleeds. It also can be used to visualise the functionality of suspected masses and tumours through IV, gadolinium-based agents.. It includes: 1) A diagram of the main components of an MRI system, including RF coils, gradient coils, and amplifiers. 2) Tables listing common NMR-active nuclei and their properties such as gyromagnetic ratio and natural abundance. 3) Explanations of fundamental MRI concepts such as precession, Larmor frequency, spin excitation, relaxation.