Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard imaging modality for soft tissues. It produces detail cross-sectional images of soft tissue and bone anatomy, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, brain and organs, without the use of ionizing radiation. In addition to orthopedic imaging, MRI is also used for heart, brain and breast. MRI uses gadolinium contrast in many exams to highlight tissues and blood vessels, which enhances images and offers better diagnostic quality. It can also be used in conjunction with PET scans. How does MRI work? MR creates images by using powerful magnets to polarize hydrogen atoms in water (the body is made of of more than 80% water) so they face in one direction. A radiofrequency pulse is then used to ping these atoms, causing them to wobble, or resonate. The MRI coils detect this and computers can assemble images from the signals. Basic MRI scans will focus on the resonance of fat and water in two different sequences, which highlight and contrast different features in the anatomy.

Siemens headquarters

Maturing partnership between OEM and AI shop yielding MRI advances

Siemens Healthineers has successfully integrated image-reconstruction software developed by a U.S. healthcare AI startup to increase sharpness and decrease noise in MR images captured during fast scanning sequences.

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Philips seeks to reduce MRI scan times with new FDA cleared AI-powered software

The new AI addition is said to increase resolution by up to 65% and is compatible with 97% of current MRI protocols.

FDA gives nod to MRI acceleration software equipped with AI

A medical imaging OEM has been cleared to market MRI image reconstruction software that, according to the company, sacrifices nothing in image quality despite allowing patients to be scanned up to three times faster than conventional methods. 

Functional MRI clarifies effects of vaping vs. smoking inside the lungs

Cigarette smoke inhibits pulmonary perfusion while nicotine-delivering vapors from e-cigarettes do the opposite, actually increasing blood flow in the lungs. 

ovaries ovarian cancer

AI boosts accuracy when discriminating between malignant and benign ovarian tumors on MRI

Out of three trained and tested models that incorporated varying features, the model that combined clinical and radiomics features to predict malignancy exceeded the others in accuracy, precision and sensitivity.

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Experts use MRI to pinpoint link between pediatric TBI and cognitive impairment

At least one white matter tract with reduced volume—most often in midline white matter structures including the corpus callosum—was observed in 28% of TBI patients.

Lightweight, short-stature MR scanner cleared

The FDA has greenlit a whole-body MRI machine that uses deep learning and advanced image processing to wring “elevated image quality” from a magnet with only 0.55 Tesla field strength.

MRI confirmed as gold standard for pre-biopsy detection of prostate cancer—but that’s ‘not the end of the story’

A clinical trial pitting MRI against a burgeoning PET/CT technique has found the de facto defending champion better at revealing the presence of any grade of prostate cancer.