Innovation at the MR Centre
Coils
Magnetic resonance information is obtained by combining the strong magnet field with radio waves which provide additional energy. The tissues then emit their own radio waves, and these need to be detected. Very sophisticated purpose built antennae known as coils are required to allow the scanner to transmit and receive.
Accurate measurement of the amount of glycogen in muscle is important to understand diabetes and to assess the effect of treatment. This has been made possible by development of an innovative coil which makes the strong signal from water invisible in order to detect the much weaker signal from glycogen. After every meal we store carbohydrate as glycogen in muscle. This is used as everyday fuel for movement is grossly abnormal in type 2 diabetes.
Steps in coil building, from planning and assembly of electrical components, through manufacture and construction of moving parts, to the finished product
Such coils could not be produced even by specialised coil manufacturers. We were able to overcome the technical problems, build the coil and carry out all safety testing. This coil is central to our work on diabetes and on energy usage in health and disease. Other coils are built for specific purposes as required.
Sequences
The radio waves used for magnetic resonance tests are given as precisely programmed sequences of energy at specific wavelengths. The programming of sequences requires great skill on the part of the physicist. We have been able to programme new sequences to provide information on biological processes. The picture to the right shows the result of such a sequence in demonstrating muscle ATP (energy) usage during exercise in people with primary biliary cirrhosis. The change in the size of peaks moving upwards through the series of spectra represents changes in real time in the tissues.
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