Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe and painless test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the body’s organs and structures. An MRI scanner is a large doughnut-shaped magnet that often has a tunnel in the center. They have larger openings and are helpful for patients with claustrophobia (a fear of being in tight, enclosed spaces). During the MRI exam, radio waves manipulate the magnetic position of the body’s atoms, which are picked up by a powerful antenna and sent to a computer.
These images can be converted into three-dimensional (3-D) pictures of the scanned area that can help pinpoint problems in the body. 1. Examine the historical development of your chosen piece of technology 1946: Felix Bloch and Edward Purcell came up with the idea to use magnets to take pictures of a living being. 1950-1970: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance was used to analyze molecules. 1967: Images of the inside of a body were taken 1970’s: For the first brain MRI the subject had to sit still for eight hours and the images took 72 hours to develop.
1971: Raymond Damadian proved that magnetic resonance could be used to help detect diseases by the different nuclear magnetic relaxation times between tissues and tumors. 1972: The second MRI image was taken. It was two dimensional which showed the length and width. 1973: Paul Lauterbur demonstrated magnetic resonance imaging on test tubes. 1977: Dr. Raymond Damadian completed the first whole body MRI scanner which he called “Indomitable. July 3,1977: Dr. Raymond Damadien performed the first whole body scan using Indomitable. It lasted four hours and 45 minutes to complete. 1978: The MRI scanner was used to analyze molecules.
1986: The time to recieve an image decreased to five seconds. 1993: The functional MRI was developed. The images showed the different regions of the brain. An MRI is used and emerged to provide clear images of body parts that can’t be seen as well with an X-ray, CAT scan, or ultrasound, it is particularly helpful for diagnosing problems with the eyes, ears, heart and circulatory system. It can detect a variety of conditions, including problems of the brain, spinal cord, skeleton, chest, lungs, abdomen, pelvis, wrists, hands, ankles, and feet and also identify infections and inflammatory conditions or to rule out problems such as tumors.
2. Describe other related technological advancements Disposable Plastic Syringe: Developed in 1974 the disposable syringe saved a lot of lengthy disinfectant procedures required for the old, all-glass syringes. The plastic syringes arrive packed in sterile wrapper and are or single use purposes, they are more air and gas-tight then the all-glass syringes and so doses can be measured and delivered more precisely and more accurate.
The widespread use of the plastic syringe has made a dramatic stride in fighting against infectious diseases, and has stopped most contamination through needles; it is a very simple technology but has immense significance for medicine. X-raying Imaging: X-ray machines are high-powered waves of electromagnetic radiation, there use in the medical arena in the late 1890’s, gave doctors the ability to visualize bone spurs, breaks and abnormal growth patterns by the radioactive uranium to take pictures of patients bones, simply by placing their hand or foot in-between the uranium and the blank film and is used to treat wounds.
X-ray scans are a commonplace these days due to their great power in diagnostics. Vaccines: Vaccine technology is over 250 years old, and is still being used in its purest form The vaccine isn’t strong enough to make a patient seriously sick, but it provokes enough of a response from the body that when a full-strength strain such as diseases does come along in the future, the body is able to mount an adequate defense against it, it is impossible to estimate how many lives vaccines save but it has definitely changed the face of medicine technology.
Anesthesia: The process of blocking pain signals for patients undergoing surgery, this is one of the first medical innovations in history going as far back as 4000 BC, the ability of anesthesia was to alleviate the suffering of a patient and not only made all surgeries more humane but it also made many surgeries that were previously impossible a simple exercise. Before anesthesia many patients would die during surgery as the result of shock, if they survived they were usually left disfigured as some surgeons couldn’t spare a single second on making incisions, anesthesia is the most important innovation in the medical industry.
3. Identify the groups using the technology Radiological Technicians are professionals who are trained to operate MRI machines, there job is to monitor the patient and operate the MRI machine the whole process of the scan, they are however not involved in the analysis and diagnosing the image results. The duties that an MRI technician must follow and perform are such things like, operating the MRI machine properly, carries out the basic MRI test, explains the procedure to the patients, keeps an eye on the safety of the patient throughout and records the results properly.
Doctors use the MRI scanner to detect a variety of conditions, including problems of the brain, spinal cord, skeleton, chest, lungs, abdomen, pelvis, wrists, hands, ankles, and feet. In some cases it can provide clearer images of body parts that can’t be seen as well with an X-ray, CAT scan or ultrasound. Patients use an MRI to help with diagnoses because it is a painless procedure, and they use no x-rays, although the scan can be uncomfortable as it can take between 30-90 minutes the MRI gives accurate images and results.
4. Analyse the political, economic, and social impact of your selected piece of technology The MRI scanner has had numerous political, economic and social impacts of society. The MRI has had great impact on society because it gives medical professionals an advantage in diagnosing and treating disease in earlier stages. While the advantages greatly overweigh the disadvantages the MRI is another step towards treating and curing more people.