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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mary Holleboom Abstract This paper investigates the development, principles, and applications of magnetic resonance imaging. As a widely used medical technique, this type of imaging utilizes the inherent magnetic properties of protons in human cells. Superconducting magnets are generally enclosed in a large housing unit to scan various parts of the body. Several types of magnetic resonance imaging have been developed to better scan specific organs and tissues. These include functional magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance, and echo-planar imaging. Although there are no biological hazards yet associated with this technique, extreme caution must be taken when working with such large magnets. They produce strong magnetic fields that can pull both small and large metal objects into the machine. Overall this is an important medical breakthrough that is continually developing to diagnose and prevent serious illnesses. Keywords Magnetic resonance imaging, Medical applications, Image processing techniques, Protons, Resonance, Gradient INTRODUCTION Magnetic resonance imaging, commonly referred to as MRI, is the use of a very strong magnetic field to scan an object and produce an image. It is most frequently used for medical purposes. Unlike radiology methods, MR imaging uses no radiation. Instead, a magnet is housed in a large scanner (Fig. 1), and current flowing through a coil of wire is used to create a magnetic field. This field affects the alignment of the protons in a person’s tissues. An antenna is then used to detect signals sent from the protons, and the signals are converted into an image. Fig. 1 Magnetic resonance imaging scanner This technique for imaging internal organs and tissues is quite new. The magnetic resonance phenomenon was first discovered by Felix Bloch and Edward Purcell in 1946. From then until 1970, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was developed for chemical and physi