Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Equipment
4T magnet
RF Coil
B0
gradient coil
(inside)
Magnet Gradient Coil RF Coil
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a clinically
important medical imaging modality due to its
exceptional soft-tissue contrast.
• MRI was invented in the early 1970s. The first
commercial scanners appeared about 10 years
later.
• The principal applications for MRI are
– head and spine (73%),
– bone and joints(17%),
– body (10%).
Major MRI Scanner Vendors (1.5T)
Philips
Siemens Sonata
General Electric
Synopsis of MRI
1) Put subject in big magnetic field
2) Transmit radio waves into subject [2~10 ms]
3) Turn off radio wave transmitter
4) Receive radio waves re-transmitted by subject0
5) Convert measured RF data to image
Many factors contribute to MR imaging
• Quantum properties of nuclear spins
• Radio frequency (RF) excitation properties
• Tissue relaxation properties
• Magnetic field strength and gradients
• Timing of gradients, RF pulses, and signal
detection
• Magnetic resonance imaging exploits the existence
of induced nuclear magnetism in the patient.
• Materials with an odd number of protons or
neutrons possess a weak but observable nuclear
magnetic moment.
MRI Uses Three Magnetic Fields
• Static High Field (B0)
– Creates or polarizes signal
– 1000 Gauss to 100,000 Gauss
• Earth’s field is 0.5 G
• Gradient Fields
– 1-4 G/cm
– Used to image: determine spatial position of MR signal
• Radiofrequency Field (B1)
– Excites or perturbs signal into a measurable form
– On the order of O.1 G but in resonance with MR signal
– RF coils also measure MR signal
– Excited or perturbed signal returns to equilibrium
• Important contrast mechanism
Nuclear Magnetic Dipole Moment
Magnetic Dipole Vector
Representation Representation
Nuclear Magnetic Dipole Moment : Spinning Charge
N N
P P
P P P
N
Hydrogen Helium Helium-3
Nuclear Magnetic Dipole Moment
• To have a magnetic dipole moment, it must have
– An odd number of protons or
– An odd number of neutrons or
– An odd number of both protons and neutrons
Imaging Criteria
• To be imaged, nuclei must:
– have an odd number of neutrons, protons, or both
– be abundant in the body
• Hydrogen in the water molecule satisfies both:
– The hydrogen nucleus is composed of a single proton
(odd number of nucleons)
– Water comprises 70% of the body by weight (very
abundant)
– Most widely imaged
Atoms That Can be Imaged with MRI
1 13 17 19 23 31 39
1 H 6C 8 O 9 F 11 Na 15 P 19 K
S 1.0 .016 .093 .066
A
where:
Z N
N is the element abbreviation
A is the total number of protons and neutrons combined
Z is the number of protons ( atomic number)
S relative MRI sensitivity compared to hydrogen
No Magnetic Field
= No Net
Magnetization
Random
Orientation
Static B0 Field: Dipoles Separate Into 2 States
Static Magnetic Field (B0Body
) RF
Bore (transmit/receive)
(55 – 60 cm)
Gradients
Magnetic field (B0) Shim
(B0 uniformity)
Classical Physics: Top analogy
Spins in a magnetic field: analogous to a spinning top in a gravitational field.
Axis of top
gravity
Dipoles (or spins) will precess about the static magnetic field
Reference Frame
y
x
z
Magnetic field (B0) aligned with z (longitudinal axis and
long axis of body)
B0 Field: Dipoles Separate Into 2 States
Magnetic
Field (B0)
z z
y y
x x
Positive Negative
Orientation Orientation
(Lower Energy) (Higher energy)
Larmor Equation
B
Precessional Magnetic Field
Frequency Strength
g (gyromagnetic ratio)for hydrogen = 42.58 MHz/T,
64MHz = 42.58 MHz/T 1.5T
Stronger B0 causes faster precession
Dipole Moments from Entire Sample
B0 z
8 up
x 6 down
Non-Random
Orientation
Sum Dipole Moments -> Bulk Magnetization
Net Magnetization
z B0 z
M
y y
x x
The magnetic dipole moments can be summed to determine
the net or “bulk” magnetization, termed the vector M.
Bulk Magnetization
# of aligned spins bulk magnetization MR signal
strength of B0 MR signal
At 1.5 T and 310° K, there are only
9 excess aligned spins per million protons!
But, a 1 x 1 x 1 mm voxel of water contains
0.3 million billion excess aligned spins!!!
Endpoint: We can understand MRI with simple
classical physics instead of quantum physics
Magnetic Field Strengths
• 0.2 T Orthopedics • 3.0 T* Growing high end
market (Neuro, MSK)
• 0.3 T Open scanners
• 4.0 T Few
• 0.5 T Some closed bore
• 7.0 T Few human research
• 0.7 T Open scanners scanners
• 1.0 T** Common • 8.0 T Animal scanners
• 1.5 T*** Most common • 9.4 T Animal scanners
1.5 T vs. 3.0 T (3D MR Angiography)
1.5 T 3.0 T
MRI Uses Three Magnetic Fields
• Static High Field (B0)
– Creates or polarizes signal
– 1000 Gauss to 100,000 Gauss
• Earth’s field is 0.5 G
• Radiofrequency Field (B1)
– Excites or perturbs signal into a measurable form
– On the order of O.1 G but in resonance with MR signal
– RF coils also measure MR signal
– Excited or perturbed signal returns to equilibrium
• Important contrast mechanism
• Gradient Fields
– 1-4 G/cm
– Used to image: determine spatial position of MR signal
major components of the
Magnetic Resonance Imaging System
Static High Field (B0 )
• Superconducting magnets to produce a much
stronger and stable magnetic field
• produces two distinct effects:
Tissue Magnetization
Tissue becomes temporarily magnetized because of the
alignment of the protons
Tissue Resonance
The magnetic field also causes the tissue to “tune in” or
resonate at a very specific radio frequency.
Gradients
• during the imaging process the field must be
distorted with gradients, a change in field strength
from one point to another in the patient’s body.
• During an imaging procedure the gradients are
turned on and off many times. This action produces
the sound or noise that comes from the magnet.
Advantages of MRI
No ionizing radiation is required,
The images can be acquired in any two- or three-
dimensional plane,
There is excellent soft-tissue contrast,
A spatial resolution of the order of 1 mm or less can
be readily achieved.
Disadvantages of MRI
MR image acquisition take more time (30–40
minutes)
A significant percentage of patients are precluded
from MRI scans due to metallic implants from
previous surgeries, and
Systems are much more expensive than CT or
ultrasound units.
T1 and T2 relaxation
• Application of an RF pulse creates a non-equilibrium
state by adding energy to the system. After the pulse
has been switched off, the system must relax back to
thermal equilibrium.
• It is important to note that there are two relaxation
times which govern the return to equilibrium of the
z-component, and the x- and y-components.
• These are referred to as T1-relaxation (which affects
only z-magnetization) and T2-relaxation (which
affects only x- and y-magnetization).
Cont.
• These are also called spin-lattice (T1) and spin-spin
(T2) relaxation
• Different tissues have different values of T1 and T2,
and diseased tissues often have substantially
altered T1 and T2 relaxation time compared to
healthy tissue, and these differences form one basis
for introducing contrast into the MR image.
• The second relaxation time, T2, governs the return of
the Mx and My components of magnetization to their
thermal equilibrium values of zero.
Image acquisition
• slice selection,
• phase-encoding and
• frequency-encoding
Reading Assignment
1) T1 and T2 weighted image and proton density image
2) MR imaging artifacts
3) Image reconstruction
B1 Radiofrequency Field
• To excite nuclei, tip them away from B0 field by applying a small
rotating B1 field in the x-y plane (transverse plane).
• We create the rotating B1 field by running a RF electrical signal
through a coil.
• By tuning the RF field to the Larmor frequency, a small B field
(~0.1 G) can create a significant torque on the magnetization.
Diagram: Nishimura, Principles of MRI
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Rotating Reference Frame
Imagine you are rotating at Larmor frequency in
transverse plane
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Rotating Reference Frame
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Rotating Reference Frame
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Rotating Reference Frame
Larmor Equation
B
Tip Angle
= DtB1Dt
Tip Angle Amplitude of RF Time of Application
Pulse of RF Pulse
Components of
Magnetization is tipped using
tipped Magnetization (M)
an RF Pulse
z' z'
M
Mlong
M
y' y'
Mtrans
x' B1
x'
In general, any component of the magnetization can be tipped into the
transverse plane to give rise to a signal. Next, how do we detect the signal?
Signal From Precessing Magnetization
B0
Receiver (antenna)
integrates proton
signal
Faraday’s Law of
Induction: Change
in magnetic flux
in time across a
surface induces an
electric potential
(voltage signal)
Radiofrequency Receiver Coils
Transmit and Receive
Excitation: Is it Permanent?
• Static High Field (B0)
– Creates or polarizes signal
– 1000 Gauss to 100,000 Gauss
• Earth’s field is 0.5 G
• Radiofrequency Field (B1)
– Excites or perturbs signal into a measurable form
– On the order of O.1 G but in resonance with MR signal
– RF coils also measure MR signal
– Excited or perturbed signal returns to equilibrium
• Important contrast mechanism
• Magnetization (spins) will return to equilibrium
– Very important image contrast mechanisms
– More important than proton density
• Soft tissue has little difference in proton density
• Cause of flat contrast in X-ray and CT soft tissue
• Gradient Fields
– 1-4 G/cm
– Used to image: determine spatial position of MR signal
T2 Relaxation
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
x'
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
M= M0
y'
B1
x'
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Transverse Magnetization
z'
y'
Mxy
x'
Transverse Magnetization
z'
2 up
y'
Mxy
2 down
x'
T2 Decay
- +
+
z' z'
- - +
y' y'
x' x'
T2 relaxation is dephasing of transverse
magnetization
Transverse Magnetization
z'
y'
Mxy
x'
T2 Decay : Slight dephasing
z'
y'
x'
T2 relaxation is dephasing of transverse
magnetization
T2 Decay: More dephasing
z'
y'
x'
T2 relaxation is dephasing of transverse magnetization
T2 Decay
z'
y'
x'
T2 relaxation is dephasing of transverse
magnetization
T2 Decay
z'
y'
x'
T2 relaxation is dephasing of transverse magnetization
T2 Decay: Complete dephasing
z'
y'
Mxy = 0
x'
T2 relaxation is dephasing of transverse magnetization
T2 Relaxation
M0
Mxy = M0 e-t/T2
Mxy
0.37M0
T2 Time
Sample tissue time constants: T2
T2 of some normal tissue types
Tissue T2 (ms)
gray matter 100
white matter 92
muscle 47
fat 85
kidney 58
liver 43
Table: Nishimura, Table 4.2
Different Names, Same Phenomenon
• T2 relaxation
• Mxy or Mtrans decay
• Spin-spin relaxation
T2-weighted Sagittal Spine
T1 Relaxation
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
x'
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Tip Bulk Magnetization
z'
y'
B1
x'
Transverse Magnetization
z'
y'
Mxy
x'
T1 Relaxation
B0
z z
2 up
y y
x 2 down x
No Net Longitudinal Magnetization
T1 Relaxation
B0
z z
3 up
y y
x 1 down x
Spins Flip to Regrow Net Longitudinal
Magnetization
T1 Relaxation
z'
y'
x'
T1 relaxation is regrowth of the longitudinal magnetization
T1 Relaxation
z'
y'
x'
T1 relaxation is regrowth of the longitudinal magnetization
T1 Relaxation
z'
y'
x'
T1 relaxation is regrowth of the longitudinal magnetization
T1 Relaxation
z'
y'
x'
T1 relaxation is regrowth of the longitudinal magnetization
T1 Relaxation
z'
y'
x'
T1 relaxation is regrowth of the longitudinal magnetization
T1 Relaxation
z'
Mlong = M0
y'
x'
T1 relaxation is regrowth of the longitudinal magnetization
T1 Relaxation
M0
Mz = M0(1-e-t/T1)
0.63M0
Mz
T1 Time
Source of T1 Contrast: Varying Mz
M0
0.63M0
Mz = M0(1-e-t/T1)
Mz
T1 T1 Time
Different Names, Same Phenomenon
• T1 relaxation
• Mz or Mlong recovery
• Spin-lattice relaxation
T1 & T2 Relaxation Trends
T1: depends on tumbling rate (more tumbling at Larmor
Frequency = shorter T1)
Solids: Very Long T1
Viscous: Short T1
Non-Viscous: Long T1
T2: depends on time spent in vicinity of nuclear neighbors
(more time near same neighbors = shorter T2)
Solids: Very Short T2
Viscous: Short T2
Non-Viscous: Long T2
Relative Relaxation Rates
T1 T2
solid long short
semi-solid intermediate intermediate
liquid long long
T1 and T2 vs B0
• T1 B0
• T1 as B0
• T1 as B0
• T2 largely independent of B0
Current technology
T1 vs T2 MRI
T1 MRI
T1 MRI is known as Spin-lattice relaxation time
It differentiates fat from water - with water darker and fat
brighter
T1-weighted MRI is best for looking at brain structures
The strength of the magnets used in T1 are in the 0.5-tesla
to 2.0 -tesla range
T1 vs T2 conti…
T2 MRI
T2 MRI is known as spin-spin relaxation time
Like T1 MRI, T2 also differentiates fat from water, but fat
shows darker, and water lighter
T2 is better for looking at non-enhancing brain lesions
The strength of the magnets used in T2 are in the 0.5-tesla
to 2.0 -tesla range
T1 Image T2 Image
T2 MRI Scan
T1 MRI Scan 1.5 Telsa
1.5 Telsa
T1-, -, and T2-weighted images
T1-weighted -weighted T2-weighted
Brain Tumor Imaging
T1-weighted Sagittal
What’s changed
T1-weighted
between
Axial
these images?
T2-weighted Axial
Components comprising a MR system
MR Physics: So far...
What we can do so far:
1) Excite spins using RF field at o
2) Record time signal (Known as FID)
3) Mxy decays, Mz grows
4) Repeat.
But so far RF coils only integrate signal from entire
body. We have no way of forming an image.
