Making Magnets More Attractive: Physics and Engineering Contributions to Patient Comfort in MRI

• Published in: Topics in magnetic resonance imaging Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 167 - 174
• Main Authors: Brunnquell, Christina L., Hoff, Michael N., Balu, Niranjan, Nguyen, Xuan V., Oztek, Murat Alp, Haynor, David R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved 01.08.2020; Copyright Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
• Subjects: Biomedical Engineering - methods; Equipment Design; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - instrumentation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Magnets; Noise; Patient Comfort - methods; Patient Satisfaction; Physics
• ISSN: 0899-3459; 1536-1004; 1536-1004
• DOI: 10.1097/RMR.0000000000000246

ABSTRACTPatient comfort is an important factor of a successful magnetic resonance (MR) examination, and improvements in the patientʼs MR scanning experience can contribute to improved image quality, diagnostic accuracy, and efficiency in the radiology department, and therefore reduced cost. Magnet designs that are more open and accessible, reduced auditory noise of MR examinations, light and flexible radiofrequency (RF) coils, and faster motion-insensitive imaging techniques can all significantly improve the patient experience in MR imaging. In this work, we review the design, development, and implementation of these physics and engineering approaches to improve patient comfort.