Scientists have revealed that a new type of medical scanner can detect brain damage in stroke patients using a weak magnetic field.
The Field Cycling Imager (FCI), described as the world’s first scanner of its kind, is based on MRI technology but operates with a much weaker magnetic field, even less than that of a refrigerator magnet, while still delivering effective results.
Researchers from the University of Aberdeen, who developed this machine, say that the device will allow doctors to observe the extent of damage to organs in a way that was not previously possible.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) creates detailed images of the inside of the body without touching it, using powerful magnetic fields and radio waves. The FCI scanner works on the same principle, but its design allows for the magnetic field strength to be adjusted during the scan.
The researchers explained that having the ability to adjust the magnetic field in one device is akin to having multiple scanners, meaning it can gather more and varied information compared to traditional MRI machines.
