Glossary
MRI/CT glossary
Clear definitions of the MRI and CT terms we work with every day.
- Coil (MRI coil)
- Radiofrequency antenna that transmits and receives the signal in MRI. Types include surface, phased-array, quadrature, joint, head, spine and body coils.
- Gradient
- System that generates varying magnetic fields to spatially encode the MRI image. Includes gradient power amplifiers (GPA) and control boards.
- Radiofrequency (RF)
- Chain that emits and receives RF pulses in MRI. Includes power amplifiers (RFPA) and transmit/receive (T/R) modules.
- Quench
- Sudden loss of the MRI magnet's superconductivity, releasing helium to the atmosphere. A critical event that monitoring aims to prevent.
- Cold head
- Cold head of the cryogenic system that keeps the superconducting magnet at liquid-helium temperature. Its failure can lead to helium loss.
- Helium
- Cryogenic gas that cools the MRI superconducting magnet. Its level is a key indicator of equipment health.
- Magnet
- Superconducting magnet that generates an MRI scanner's main magnetic field, measured in Tesla (e.g. 0.3T, 1.5T or 3T).
- Contrast injector
- Device that delivers contrast media in a controlled way during MRI and CT studies.
- DICOM
- International standard for storing, transmitting and viewing medical images.
- PACS
- Picture Archiving and Communication System for medical images.
- RIS
- Radiology Information System for managing studies, scheduling and workflows.
- MRI (magnetic resonance)
- Diagnostic imaging modality that uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency, with no ionizing radiation.
- CT (computed tomography)
- Modality that uses X-rays to produce cross-sectional images of the body.