Abstract

Advances in magnetic resonance hardware and instrumentation have facilitated the rapid development of NMR imaging. Systems based on superconducting, resistive, and permanent magnets have been commercially introduced and are now available in a wide range of field strengths. Excellent images are now routinely obtained in fields from 0.1 to 2.0 Tesla (T). It is now clear, however, that obtaining high-quality images requires much more than a high-strength magnet. Improved radiofrequency transmission and receiving subsystems and new special-purpose coils have been essential for high-sensitivity imaging. User interfaces and computational hardware have borrowed from x-ray CT rapid signal processing and image display capabilities. Developments in systems technology are making possible improved image quality and information content together with increased speed. Presented here is a discussion of the basic function and interconnections of the key elements of a complete NMR imaging system.