A Historical Overview of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Focusing on Technological Innovations

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has now been used clinically for more than 30 years. Today, MRI serves as the primary diagnostic modality for many clinical problems. In this article, historical developments in the field of MRI will be discussed with a focus on technological innovations. Topics include the initial discoveries in nuclear magnetic resonance that allowed for the advent of MRI as well as the development of whole-body, high field strength, and open MRI systems. Dedicated imaging coils, basic pulse sequences, contrast-enhanced, and functional imaging techniques will also be discussed in a historical context. This article describes important technological innovations in the field of MRI, together with their clinical applicability today, providing critical insights into future developments.

Building for Tomorrow Today

“…Radiology has a rich history of innovation in the development and optimization of novel imaging technologies, from the technical developments that laid the groundwork for magnetic resonance imaging, to the continued optimization of MRI utilizing novel pulse sequences. Examples of research opportunities in magnetic resonance technology include areas such as: receiver coil design, which impacts image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); novel pulse sequence design, which increase desirable signal and/or reduce undesirable signal; varied data sampling techniques, such as Partial Fourier acquisition, which can decrease scan time; contrast-enhanced and time-of-flight techniques for vascular imaging; perfusion- and diffusion- weighted imaging techniques; diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which measures and maps the orientation of myelin fibers in the brain; blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) techniques for assessing tissue function; proton spectroscopy techniques for noninvasive biochemical measurements; and new techniques in cardiac MRI for assessing morphology, function, viability, and anatomy (16). Similarly, opportunities for research in instrumentation and novel data analysis exist for other imaging modalities, namely nuclear medicine and ultrasound.…”

The role of arthroscopy in the management of knee osteoarthritis

“…MRI can be traced back to important discoveries in physics and chemistry by Isidor Isaac Rabi, who first described nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in 1938 [6]. This phenomenon - in which nuclei in a magnetic field absorb and re-emit electromagnetic radiation - allows for the visualization of internal body structures.…”

Internal Derangements of Joints—Past, Present, and Future

“…In the subsequent decades, multiple important innovations in MR hardware resulted in increased field strength and gradient strength, whereas substantial improvements in coil design, including the introduction of multichannel receiving coils, combined to dramatically change both acquisition times and image quality. 37,38 These advances in technical innovations are described in detail in an excellent review by Ai et al 39 Furthermore, the development of advanced pulse sequences such as fast spin echo sequences, parallel imaging, short echo-time MRI, and MRI spectroscopy truly revolutionized MSK radiology. [39][40][41][42][43] Technical advances in MSK MRI continue at a rapid pace today with the introduction of pulse sequences that allow for imaging of metal prosthetics 44 and with high-resolution 3D sequences for imaging of articular cartilage.…”

“…37,38 These advances in technical innovations are described in detail in an excellent review by Ai et al 39 Furthermore, the development of advanced pulse sequences such as fast spin echo sequences, parallel imaging, short echo-time MRI, and MRI spectroscopy truly revolutionized MSK radiology. [39][40][41][42][43] Technical advances in MSK MRI continue at a rapid pace today with the introduction of pulse sequences that allow for imaging of metal prosthetics 44 and with high-resolution 3D sequences for imaging of articular cartilage. 45 At the cutting edge of research is the investigation of so-called biochemical imaging of cartilage, a technique that aims at detection of early cartilage degeneration before macroscopic cartilage defects are visible on conventional MR sequences.…”