MRI Flashcards
T/F
When electric current flows through a wire, a magnetic field is induced around the wire
True
Which way is the magnetic field generated in relation to the flow of current?
Magnetic field is generated in a direction perpendicular to the flow of current
How can we limit the resistance to the flow of current that is normally generated?
Resistance to the flow of current can be reduced if the metal conductor is cooled substantially
Why is having low resistance in a magnetic machine so imporant?
Low resistance allows the use of high electric currents to produce high strength magnetic fields
What is the type of magnet (magnet coils) ussually used in MRI machines?
Super conducting metal-alloy magnet
What temperature are superconducting magnets within an MRI machine cooled down to? What substance cools it?
Cooled to approx. 4K or -269oC, using expensive cryogenic helium
What is the symbol for magnetic feild?
B0
What is the strength of the magnetic field is measured in?
Units of T (Tesla)
What is the typical strength of the magnetic feild in MRI machines?
1.5T and 3T
How is the current of a magnet induced?
By injecting electric current into the coil of wire, which allows us to remove the power supply.
T/F
The MRI machine can maintain current for years.
True
How often does liquid helium levels in the magnet need to be filled?
Once per month to once every few years, depending on the magnet design
What gradient is the arrow showing?
The Z-gradient
What are 1 and 2 representing?
- Flow of current
- Magnetic feild
What is the arrow showing?
Longitudinal Magnetization (B0)
Give 3 examples of magnetic resonance active atoms?
- H
- N
- C
What creates a strong net spin?
Single proton + NO neutron
What are the most abundent atom in the body?
Hydrogen
What do all clinical images in MR come from?
Hydrogen atoms from water, fat and carbohydrates
T/F
Hydrogen has a positive electrical charge
True
T/F
Protons have thier own magnetic feild. Why or why not?
True; The positive charge of a proton is moving, and a moving electrical charge is a current, and an electrical current generates a magnetic charge.
What is the magnetic field of each proton called?
A magnetic dipole moment (MDM)/magnetic moment
T/F
Magnetic moments are usually in line and straight oriented.
False; Magnetic moments are usually randomly oriented
What happens when an external magnetic field is applied to protons with a magnetic moment?
They align either with (parallel) or against (antiparallel) the external field
What is the preferred state of alignment when protons with a magnetic moment are introduced to an external magnetic feild?
Alignment parallel to the external magnetic feild
What is net magnitization
The difference in the number of protons aligning parallel and antiparallel to B0
What does net magnetization depend on?
Depends on the strength of B0
What is the source of the MR image?
Net magnetization
T/F
As an estimate, for about 10 million protons aligning antiparallel to B0, 10,000007 protons align parallel to B0
True
What is the symbol for net magnetization?
M
What is the longitudinal magnetization denoted by?
M0
What is longitudinal magnetization?
The resulting net magnetization in the direction of the z-axis
T/F
M0 parallels the external magnetic field (B0)
True
What is the X axis?
left – right direction
What is the Y axis?
Anterior – posterior direction
What is precession?
When a spinning proton is placed in magnetic feild, the force from the magnetic field interacts with the spinning proton and tries to get it to “wabble and fall”
What is the frequency of precession?
The frequency of precession is the number of revolutions per second
What is precessional frequency denoted as?
ω
What is the unit for ω?
ω unit is MHz
How do you find the proton precessional frequency?
Larmor equation
What is the Gyromagnetic Constant?
It is a characteristic of each type of nuclei
What is the gyromagnetic constant for hydrogen?
For hydrogen protons, the gyromagnetic constant is equal to 42.6 MHz/T
For a typical MR system, with a magnetic field strength of 1.5T, what is ω?
ω = 64 MHz (64 million times/sec)
Use equation
T/F
The relationship between ω and B0 is linear.
True
Situation example:
Once B0 (magnetic feild) is applied, there still no signal. What could have caused this?
-The net magnetization is very small
-The magnetic force of the patient cannot be measured as it is in the same direction as the external field
Net magnetization has to be at an angle to B0 (the magnetic feild), what is this called?
Transverse Magnetization
T/F
Transverse magnetization is required to generate a signal
True
How did we get the magnetization to go from longitudinal to transverse?
Through the transference of energy from the radiofrequency pulse to the protons
When does transverse magnetization only occur with radiofrequency?
When the RF pulse has the same frequency as the precessional frequency of the protons
What is the purpose of the radiofrequency pulse?
The purpose of the RF pulse is to disturb the protons so that they fall out of alignment with B0
What is Resonance?
Resonance describes the phenomenon of increased amplitude of signal that occurs when the frequency of a RF pulse is equal (or close) to the precessional frequency of protons.
What is the RF energy is transmitted by?
RF energy is transmitted by an RF transmit coil (body coil, head coil, knee coil).
What is it called when the RF is transmitted for a period of time? How do we denote this?
RF pulse (B1)
T/F
For resonance to occur and for efficient transfer of energy from the RF coils to the proton to occur, RF pulse must be at the precessional frequency of the proton.
True
What would the RF energy for a 1.5 T magnet be?
64MHz
What happens to the net magnetization as energy is absorbed from the radiofrequency pulse? What is this phonomanon called?
-As energy is absorbed from the RF pulse, the net magnetization rotates away from the longitudinal direction
-Called flip angle
What does the flip angle depend on?
Depends on the strength and duration of the RF pulse
If the RF pulse rotates the net magnetization into the transverse plane, what is it termed?
Termed a 90 degree RF pulse.
T/F
The strength and/or duration of the RF pulse can be controlled to rotate the net magnetization to any angle
True
Does transverse magnetization occur?
No, the f of th RF is not the same as the precessional f of the proton
Does transverse magnetization occur?
Yes, f of RF and precessional f is the same
T/F
As the protons move away from B0, there is an overall gain of M0
False; As the protons move away from B0, there is an overall loss of M0
What does Mxy describe?
Transverse magnetization occurs, in which protons precess “in phase” in a transverse plane
T/F
When transmitting an RF pulse, the protons in the transversal plane end up in phase with each other
True