July 9, 2019

Nikola Tesla & the MRI

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body. The magnetic field temporarily realigns hydrogen atoms in the body. Radio waves cause these aligned atoms to produce very faint signals, which are used to create cross-sectional MRI images — like slices in a loaf of bread.   

Animation of a half-wave dipole antenna radiating radio waves, showing the electric field lines. The antenna in the center is two vertical metal rods connected to a radio transmitter (not shown). The transmitter applies an alternating electric current to the rods, which charges them alternately positive (+) and negative (−). Loops of electric field leave the antenna and travel away at the speed of light; these are the radio waves. In this animation the action is shown slowed down enormously.     




Nikola Tesla discovered the Rotating Magnetic Field in Budapest, Hungary, in 1882. It was the basis for the Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to come some 90 years later. Nikola Tesla has been honored with the international unit of magnetic flux density called "Tesla". All magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines are calibrated with Tesla Unit (from .2 Tesla to 9 Tesla). MRI machines work on the principle of a homogeneous magnet field. The Tesla Unit for magnetism was established in 1956 in the Rathaus of Munich, Germany by the International Electrotechnical Commission Committee in Action. Because of the tremendous importance of the MRI technology and widespread use of the MRI machines around the world, which are all calibrated in Tesla Units, Tesla's name connected with the MRI will be known more and more in the future and the years to come.




Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is extremely important for medical diagnosis of internal organs of the human body, especially the diagnosis of cancer, tumors, degenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord. The modern diagnosis of the internal organs of the human body would be today unthinkable without MRI. MRI machines are widespread with many variations in size and capacity all around the world. 




MRI employs a strong homogeneous magnetic field and specific radio frequency to which many elements, especially hydrogen nuclei respond with radio frequency signals. These signals are analyzed by computer reconstruction algorithms. The healthy tissue and pathological tissue have different radio frequency signals and produce different images on MRI. Therefore enable us to make diagnosis of pathological tissues of the body.
         



MRI has the advantage over CT scan, it uses no ionizing radiation and does not cause cumulative harm. The only contraindication of those related to the high magnetic field. Magnetic-sensitive objects like pacemakers, watches and magnetic tapes are contraindicated.     

In orthopedics, an MRI may be used to examine bones, joints, and soft tissues such as cartilage, muscles, and tendons for injuries or the presence of structural abnormalities or certain other conditions, such as tumors, inflammatory disease, congenital abnormalities, osteonecrosis, bone marrow disease, and herniation or degeneration of discs of the spinal cord. MRI may be used to assess the results of corrective orthopedic procedures. Joint deterioration resulting from arthritis may be monitored by using magnetic resonance imaging.         
         



The revenue of MRI machines sales was 1.46 billion dollars in 2002. However, Nikola Tesla nor his descendants ever realized a cent from all this as Tesla intended to have his inventions free to mankind for its betterment so never took out patents. His inventions were patented by other men who then profited from them, one of whom was Thomas A. Edison (links below).     
       

      
      
         
         
Viewfinder links:      
        
Thomas Edison                  
      
Net links:      

Mayo Clinic ~ MRI       
Open Medscience ~ Magnetic Resonance Imaging – MRI         
WebMD ~ What Is an MRI?        
       
YouTube link:      
        
How Does an MRI Scan Work?         

       
       
        
Styrous® ~ Tuesday, July 9, 2019        

















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