Technology has revolutionized the world and is continuously getting better and quicker. In the medical world, technology is valued necessity. Advances in technology have improved the quality and quantity of medical devices. As Bastos et al. (1995) recorded, a study observed in ten Brazilian medical-surgical ICUs (intensive care units) conclude that to reduce the hospital’s mortality rate, it depends on the amount of technology available for these units. For example, the creation of magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, has improved findings of malignant diseases and saved thousands of lives. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, which is a noninvasive medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structure and limited function of the body. “MRI is a competent imaging machine that helps in detecting abnormalities as compared to other traditional machines” (Wael, 2009). It has made early diagnosing of certain diseases possible. MRI provides much greater contrast between the different soft tissues of the body than computed tomography (CT) does, making it especially useful in neurological (brain), musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and oncological (cancer) imaging. “MRI shows promise as a means of monitoring disease progression over time and identifying treatment sooner in the treatment cycle” (Mak & Hunter, 2009).
Dr. Raymond V. Damadian was born in 1963 in Melville, New York. He was trained as a medical doctor and also studied music. “Damadian's invention came from his observations that the tissue in a cancerous tumor looked differently than healthy tissue, after both tissue samples had been exposed to nuclear magnetic resonance. He published these findings in 1971. Then, he collaborated with two other doctors, Dr. Larry Minkoff and Dr. Michael Goldsmith, to investigate the potential for the MRI technology to give doctors the ability to observe soft tissue without having to do exploratory surgery” (Barker, 2010).
The first MRI device for a full body scan called the “Indomitable” was built in 1977 by Dr. Damadian. The first MRI examination was performed on July 3, 1977 and in 1978, Dr. Damadian started the FONAR Corporation. The FONAR Corporation manufactured MRI for commercial use in medicine. The first commercially available MRI was sold in 1980 (Barker, 2010).
MRI was originally a technique that was referred to as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). However, because the word nuclear was associated in the public mind with ionizing radiation exposure, it is generally now referred to simply as MRI.
“The earliest MRI devices look like a long horizontal tube in which a person lies down. The tube is positioned inside a large magnet. The tube can be moved back and forth, so that the part of the patient's body which needs to be scanned is in the exact center of the MRI's magnetic field. A magnetic force of up to 1 tesla or 10,000 gauss is safe for medical use. To put this in perspective, a regular horse-shoe magnet exerts a magnetic force of several hundred gauss. The information gained by passing the magnetic force through the patient's body is displayed on a map which can be viewed either in two or three dimensions. Doctors use the map to diagnose conditions that affect the soft tissue areas of the body which do not show up on X-rays” (Barker, 2010).
However, there are disadvantages to this medical device. Any patients with any metal implanted in their bodies cannot undergo a MRI scan since magnetic attracts the metal. The metal implants could be moved, damaged, or cause harm to the patients. Usually, in cases such as this, the alternative choice would be to undergo a CT scan, which is similar to an MRI, but with no magnets.
There are many potential benefits of using a MRI scan. “The superiority of MRI in detecting erosions compared with radiographic analysis is well documented. In a recent study that compared radiography and MRI, MRI demonstrated significantly more erosions than radiography.” (Mak & Hunter, 2009). MRI has particular advantages in that it is non-invasive, using non-ionizing radiation, and has a high soft-tissue resolution and discrimination in any imaging plane. It may also provide both morphological and functional information. Unlike CT scans, MRI do not emit ionizing radiation, instead it uses a powerful magnetic field, so patients do not have to worry about radiation exposure.
MRI could be viewed in an alternative manner. Because contemporary MRI scanners offer isotropic resolution, display of images does not need to be restricted in the two-dimensional prospective. Instead, it is possible for a software program to build a volume by 'stacking' the individual slices one on top of the other. This specialized program could generate three-dimensional images.
Without the invention of the MRI, it would be difficult for physicians to see in finer detail of the patient’s internal body parts. Without this ability, it would be a challenge for physicians to diagnose the correct illness. Instead, to understand what exactly is going on inside the patient, the physicians might have to surgically open the patient. With the MRI, surgery is not necessarily the first choice; it might not even be a choice because MRI scans provides early detection of certain diseases. This way, patients do not have to wait for the disease to manifest. Physicians could eliminate the problem before it begins. In addition, the cost could also be significantly less. Surgery is very expensive, and if there is no need for surgery because the MRI scan detected a certain disease very early on, the cost will be reduced.
Further Required Research for MRI scans.
By far, MRI scans have changed the medical world drastically. MRI scans have become a vital medical instrument for medical personnel. It has provided the medical world different prospective on how imaging could be viewed. However there are areas that could use improving. There should be an alternative design for those patients who are claustrophobic. The design right now is a long cylindrical tube, which the patient lies down and is transferred inside. The technicians should conduct research about how to design the machine and keep all of the magnetic features. Also, since the MRI is very sensitive to anything metal, there should be further research on how to use the MRI when metal is present. This would especially help those who have metal implants within their bodies. These patients could only undergo a normal CT scan, which exposes them to radiation. If technicians could find some way to get over this obstacle, the lives of those with metal implants could improve. Although the CT scan is a good alternative, the MRI scan would provide for better quality images, along with a 3-dimensional view. It is unfortunate for those who have metal implants and cannot undergo a MRI scan.
Overall, MRI scans have been vitally useful in the medical world. MRI scans have provided valuable images, two dimensional and three dimensional, that aid physicians when they diagnose diseases or problems. MRI can also detect any abnormalities that could potentially become a malignant tumor or cancer early on, so that patient would have more options than chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or drugs. This does not only apply for cancerous diseases. MRI scans provide early indications of many other diseases, which if it is treated earlier, the disease could be prevented. Prevented a disease not only saves the patient’s life, it also reduces the cost. Money is especially scarce when the economy is down and among the lower classes of society. If MRI could detect a possible disease early on, and if the patients have that indication treated, the cost would not be expensive.
Although MRI scans are a valued necessity, there are areas that could use improving, such as the design of it. MRI scans do not emit ionizing radiation, which is a safer alternative to CT scans. Since the invention of the magnetic resonance imaging, it has become very important factor in the medical world.
References
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This website provides reliable information because the date (year) is very recent. The author of this article is an actual author who wrote The Eye can Too!, Saint Louis Gateway Rail, and The 1970s. The information is relevant to my topic and the information is all facts, without bias.
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