Electromagnetics in magnetic resonance imaging

• Published in: IEEE antennas & propagation magazine Vol. 40; no. 6; pp. 7 - 22
• Main Author: JIN, J.-M
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.12.1998; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Atomic measurements; Biological and medical sciences; Biological radiation effects; Coils; Computed tomography; Electric coils; Electromagnetic analysis; Electromagnetic radiation; Electromagnetic waves; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Ionizing radiation; Magnetic resonance imaging; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; Numerical analysis; Optical imaging; Radio frequency; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Superconducting magnets; X-ray imaging; Atomic nucleus; Two dimensional signal; Cross section; Magnet; Imaging; Magnetic resonance; Tomography; Electromagnetic field; Radiofrequency; Magnetic field; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
• ISSN: 1045-9243
• DOI: 10.1109/74.739187

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful new imaging method, which produces cross-sectional tomographic and three-dimensional images similar to those of x-ray computed tomography (CT). However, rather than relying on harmful ionizing radiation, MRT is based on the interaction between RF fields and certain atomic nuclei in the body, when they are in the presence of a strong magnetic field. An MRI system is one of the few complete systems in which the design relies heavily upon a knowledge of electromagnetics. We give a tutorial on the electromagnetic analysis and design of three key components of an MRI system, namely, the magnet, the gradient coil, and the radiofrequency (RF) coil. We also discuss the analysis and characterization of the interactions of RF electromagnetic fields with biological subjects.