6 Interesting Facts About MRI You Maybe Didn’t Know

08th, Sep 2022

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and is commonly used as a form of diagnostic imaging for conditions that may not be visible in an x-ray. It uses a powerful magnet to take photos inside the body while a computer records changes in your body’s magnetic field. This allows doctors to diagnose a disease, illness, injury, or condition.

MRI is one of the most commonly performed medical imaging tests with over 30 million MRI scans per year. Here are 5 interesting facts you maybe didn’t know:

The MRI is 49 years old

A physicist named Isidor Isaac Rabi is credited with creating this method to measure the magnetic properties of atoms in the 1930s.The image-producing scan we know today was developed in 1973 making it 49 years old this year.

The first successful scan took place in 1977

Though Rabi developed his ground-breaking method in the 1930s, it wasn’t until the 3^rd July 1977 that medical professionals performed the first MRI scan on a living human being.

The MRI was originally called NMR

The first concept of Magnetic Resonance Imaging was called Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, or NMR. The name was changed because of the negative connotation of the word “nuclear”.

MRI magnets are strong and very hot

The main magnet in an MRI magnetic field is 140,000 times stronger than the Earth’s magnetic field.

The magnets used in MRI scanners also must be cooled to a temperature of absolute zero. This cooling is typically done with liquid hydrogen to take the magnets down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

MRI and Tesla

MRI machines are calibrated in Tesla units which name comes from Nikola Tesla who is associated with the discovery of the rotating magnetic field.

MRI offers more detail imaging than X-Ray’s and CT and is safer

Alongside the lack of radiation resulting in a safer scan, MRIs are popular because they offer images with more detail than other diagnostic imaging tests. MRI scans also tend to be clearer, allowing medical professionals to quickly spot fractures or tumors that may be too small to show up on X-Rays or CT scans.

Schedule your MRI with the Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group.

At the Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group we offer the latest in high quality imaging and diagnostics and will provide a better experience for patients and faster turnaround times for our clinicians. All you need is a referral from your GP or Physio to book your appointment. Why wait?

Appointments available in Belfast, Ballykelly and Sligo

Visit kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com for further information.

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