MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses radio-frequency waves and a strong magnetic field rather than x-rays to provide remarkably clear and detailed 2-D and 3-D pictures of internal organs and tissues.

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Design Considerations

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive diagnostic technology that produces physiologic images based on the use of magnetic and radio frequency (RF) fields. The MRI system uses powerful magnets to create a magnetic field which forces hydrogen atoms in the body into a particular alignment (resonance). Radio frequency energy is then distributed over the patient, which is disrupted by body tissue. The disruptions correspond to varying return signals which, when processed, create the image.

The accurate processing of these signals is key to obtaining high quality images. A key system consideration for the receive channel is high SNR. The return signals have narrow bandwidths with an IF location directly dependent on the main magnet s strength. Some systems use high-speed pipeline ADCs with wideband amplifiers to directly sample the IF, leaving large headroom for post-processing gain by a digital down converter or FPGA. Other systems mix the IF to baseband where lower-speed, higher-resolution SAR and delta-sigma ADCs can be used.

For controlling the magnetic and RF energy in the MRI, high-resolution, high-speed DACs are needed. High resolution is required to accurately define the area of the patient to be scanned. High-speed is necessary to match the high IFs being generated by the main magnet. DSPs can be used to provide gradient processor control used for properly controlling the magnets in the MRI system. A DSP can also take care of preprocessing the signal before it reaches the image reconstruction engine.

A wide variety of TI products are available for MRI systems and equipment manufacturers, including op amps, DSPs, multi-channel high- and low-speed data converters, clocking distribution, interface, and power management.

Application Notes (6)

Title Abstract Type Size (KB) Date Views
HTM 9 KB 08 Jun 2010 965
HTM 8 KB 08 Jun 2010 495
HTM 8 KB 30 Sep 2009 3085
HTM 9 KB 21 Sep 2009 3142
HTM 8 KB 19 Aug 2008 4657
HTM 9 KB 26 Jul 2007 2106
    

Reference Designs

Description Part # Company
TMS320C6414/C6415/C6416 Reference Design SPRC137 Texas Instruments

Selection and Solution Guides

Selection Guides (4)

Title Abstract Type Size (KB) Date Views
PDF 620 KB 03 Jun 2011 3426
PDF 11.6 MB 05 Aug 2010 6555
PDF 5.7 MB 05 Aug 2010 2027
PDF 2.38 MB 08 Jun 2010 2176

Tools and Software

Name Part # Company Software/Tool Type
Code Composer Studio (CCStudio) Integrated Development Environment (IDE) v5 CCSTUDIO Texas Instruments Code Composer Studio(TM) IDE
TMS320C6748 DSP Development Kit (LCDK) TMDXLCDK6748 Texas Instruments Development Boards/EVMs

Product Bulletin & White Papers

Product Bulletin (2)

Title Abstract Type Size (MB) Date Views
PDF 228 KB 09 Jun 2011 1323
PDF 208 KB 25 Apr 2011 3909

White Papers (9)

Title Abstract Type Size (MB) Date Views
PDF 1014 KB 17 May 2011 2287
PDF 562 KB 21 Dec 2010 1360
PDF 423 KB 09 Nov 2010 1099
PDF 333 KB 08 Jun 2010 889
PDF 180 KB 26 Oct 2009 848
PDF 358 KB 18 Mar 2009 36
PDF 115 KB 03 Nov 2008 819
PDF 187 KB 31 Oct 2008 875
PDF 470 KB 20 Mar 2007 28

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