MRI Tracking

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) is traditionally used in the clinical setting to generate an image of the inner body and the organization of its tissues. An MRI scan can be used diagnosti—cally to detect abnormalities such as hemorrhages [Page 358]or other internal bleeds, musculoskeletal lesions, and tumors. The mechanisms behind MRI involve using a high—power magnet to align all the hydrogen atoms in a given tissue area. These atoms are then manipulated in such a way as to record their locations, and a computer can process this information and generate a two—dimensional, black—and-white image of one plane of the tissue examined. These planes can be viewed sequentially, allowing the clinician to visualize the abnormality non—invasively. The principles of MRI can be exploited by scientists and ...