Magnetic Resonance Imaging has been in place for nearly forty years and is one of the fastest growing technologies in radiography. Since it was discovered that radiology can play a role in imaging numerous steps have been adopted with the aim of developing a thorough understanding and improving Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (Dick et al 2002). The greater contrast attained in differentiating soft tissue through MRI relative to computed tomography (CT) is the main reason why MRI is the preferred imaging technology in neurological, cardiovascular, muscoskeletal and oncological imaging. Radio frequencies are used in aligning the hydrogen nuclei which are detectable by a scanner. It is noteworthy that by adding the magnetic field an image of a body can be constructed (Stoianovici et al 2007 Craciunescu et al 2001). Since magnetic resonance imaging is a relatively new technology, there are a number of areas that are yet to be harnessed. MRI does not use ionising radiation thus it is considered safer than CT. However, there are multiple reported cases of accidents in MRI. Most accidents in MRI are a result of its use in patient with metallic implants. In general patients with metallic implants are prevented from having MRI scan (Samset 2006).
Intra-operative thermometry is gaining audience in research due to increased adoption of minimally invasive techniques. For a minimally invasive technique to be preserved, the temperature mapping should not contribute to the invasiveness of the procedure. It is noteworthy that Magnetic Resonance Imaging is characterised by multiple unique properties that enable non-invasive 3D temperature mapping (Smith et al 2001). Appreciation of the heating effect of MRI is a critical aspect in the management of MRI and could play a role in reducing incidences associated with the imaging technique (McDannold 2005). Though use of MRI as a thermo therapeutic tool has been compelling due to its non-invasive nature and applicability in cases where surgery may not be an option, management of the temperature remains a critical success factor (Diederich et al 2004). In imaging, extensive temperature rises could result in permanent tissue damage which is fatal. Temperatures over 60 degrees Celsius can result in extensive permanent tissue damage whereas lower temperatures may also be lethal depending on the tissue type (McNichols et al 2004). Systems that reduce tissue temperature beyond freezing point may results in tissue destruction (Hynynen McDannold 2004). It is therefore evident from the extensive literature review that management of temperature and the thermal effect of MRI is a vital aspect in its usage.
Rationale
It is evident that radiology is extensively used in thermo therapeutic techniques for instance ablation. Understanding the thermal effect of MRI in this context plays a vital role in management of medical conditions. It is further apparent from the literature review that management of temperature is a vital success factors in MRI. Failure to effectively manage temperature changes due to the thermal effects of MRI could result in tissue damage and fatal accidents that have been reported in some cases of MRI use (Das, Jones Samulski 2001 Cerrato et al 2005). Understanding the factors that influence temperature changes in MRI and the nature of their relationship with temperature would help improve MRI and its use in healthcare management. Such a development would help improve the quality of health care and reduce prevalence of accidents in using MRI. These are the main reasons for carrying out the proposed study.
Aims and Objectives
The following are the aims and objectives that will guide the study
To determine if MRI has heating and cooling effect in MRI.
Nearly all MRI parameters are temperature sensitive thus management of temperature is a critical success factor in MRI (Lafon et al 2007). Attainment of this objective will be aided by the research question Does
MRI has cooling and heating effect
To determine if the thickness of body tissue affects the heating and cooling effect in MRI.
Understanding the specific nature of the relationship between thickness of body tissue and thermal effect is important. This objective will be attained with the aid of the following research question Does thickness of body tissue affect the heating and cooling effect of MRI
To determine if room temperature and time spend in MRI influence the thermal effect of MRI. Temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius could result in ablation which is undesired in cases where MRI is not being used for therapeutic reasons. Moreover low temperatures could be fatal on a patient. Determination of the values of the operational variables that would result in desired temperature levels is thus vital in addressing and harnessing the thermal effect of MRI. This will be attained with the aid of the research question Does room temperature and time spend in MRI influence the thermal effect of MRI
Research Plan
MRI use in humans is associated with multiple health and professional requirements. It is therefore highly unlikely that subjects will willingly engage in the study. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine variables that influence the thermal effects of MRI and could therefore result in temperatures that may be detrimental on human tissue. Therefore the use of live human subjects in the study may not be possible thus the pure experimental approach adopted in the study. The research involves the development of data that influence the requirements in MRI. Therefore the use of a quantitative research methodology will be in order considering that there are different factors influencing the thermal effect of MRI.
Methods and Approaches
There are three main research questions that will be addressed in the study. It is further noteworthy that the research questions build on each other and therefore share a lot with respect to the preliminary procedures. The study will use agar gel, water and oil to determine the thermal effect of MRI. The use of agar gel is mainly because the study adopts an experimental approach and agar gel displays behaviours that are similar to that of a normal tissue. Fibre optic thermometer will be used in the study due to its compatibility with a MRI scanner (Busch et al 2005). Use of olive oil and water is aimed at determining if these lubricants have any effect on the effect of MRI on temperature changes in the tissue and facilitates MRI since the existence of hydrogen ions is a prerequisite for MRI. Other equipments that will be used in the study include three beakers, a scanner and a stop watch. The specific procedure that will be used in the study is three beakers containing agar gel that is mixed with olive oil and water the mixture is placed in a scanner and a thermometer appended and recording the temperature started immediately. Three beakers are used because the experiment is repeated three times for varying thickness of the mixture so as to minimise the effects of random errors on the results. Spin echo sequence, IR, gradient echo and IR will all be used and results from the different sequences compared.
Participants
The study is experimental and does not involve human subjects. However, the presence of a researcher and an MRI specialist or a radiographer is a requirement in carrying out the study. Since the study is experimental, to ensure consistency of the findings and minimise experimental errors repetition will be used. Every experiment will be repeated three times.
Data Analysis
Analysis of the first research questions will be done via descriptive analysis of the recorded data. By using tables and graphs a clear picture of the variables that affect the thermal effects of MRI will be developed. This will mainly involve assessing differences in thermal changes resulting from change in thickness of mixture and room temperature. The second research question will be analysed with the aid of regression analysis where thermal effects is assumed to be a linear function (Polgar Thomas 2000). Regression analysis is based on correlation inferential statistics and is adopted under the assumption that there is a linear relationship between the test variables
YA1X1A2X2A3X3 E, Where A1, A2 and A3 are coefficients, E is the error term, Y is change in temperature and X1, X2 and X3 are the dependent variables thickness of mixture, room temperature and time spent in scanner.
This is a form of quantitative analysis which aids generate relationship between multiple predictors and a dependent variable (Grbich 2009). Thickness of the mixture (assumed to be indicative of thickness of tissue) room temperature and time are considered to be the predictors (independent variables) and change in temperature is considered the dependent variable. Statistical analysis will help determine the value of the coefficients and therefore the nature of relationship between the dependent and the independent variables. It is noteworthy that graphing the results and use of tables constitutes descriptive analysis whereas regression analysis is a form of inferential analysis. To ensure accuracy of the results, SPSS will be used in regression analysis.
Ethical Consideration
An important ethical consideration in the study is non-inclusion of human subject since the study may affect their health. Another ethical consideration is involvement of a MRI specialist who will help enforce rules required in MRI rooms and minimise risks of accidents in the study.
Project Management
Management of the project mainly involves consideration on budgetary requirements and the transition between activities required in carrying out the project. The following are tabular presentations of the budget and work plan.
Intra-operative thermometry is gaining audience in research due to increased adoption of minimally invasive techniques. For a minimally invasive technique to be preserved, the temperature mapping should not contribute to the invasiveness of the procedure. It is noteworthy that Magnetic Resonance Imaging is characterised by multiple unique properties that enable non-invasive 3D temperature mapping (Smith et al 2001). Appreciation of the heating effect of MRI is a critical aspect in the management of MRI and could play a role in reducing incidences associated with the imaging technique (McDannold 2005). Though use of MRI as a thermo therapeutic tool has been compelling due to its non-invasive nature and applicability in cases where surgery may not be an option, management of the temperature remains a critical success factor (Diederich et al 2004). In imaging, extensive temperature rises could result in permanent tissue damage which is fatal. Temperatures over 60 degrees Celsius can result in extensive permanent tissue damage whereas lower temperatures may also be lethal depending on the tissue type (McNichols et al 2004). Systems that reduce tissue temperature beyond freezing point may results in tissue destruction (Hynynen McDannold 2004). It is therefore evident from the extensive literature review that management of temperature and the thermal effect of MRI is a vital aspect in its usage.
Rationale
It is evident that radiology is extensively used in thermo therapeutic techniques for instance ablation. Understanding the thermal effect of MRI in this context plays a vital role in management of medical conditions. It is further apparent from the literature review that management of temperature is a vital success factors in MRI. Failure to effectively manage temperature changes due to the thermal effects of MRI could result in tissue damage and fatal accidents that have been reported in some cases of MRI use (Das, Jones Samulski 2001 Cerrato et al 2005). Understanding the factors that influence temperature changes in MRI and the nature of their relationship with temperature would help improve MRI and its use in healthcare management. Such a development would help improve the quality of health care and reduce prevalence of accidents in using MRI. These are the main reasons for carrying out the proposed study.
Aims and Objectives
The following are the aims and objectives that will guide the study
To determine if MRI has heating and cooling effect in MRI.
Nearly all MRI parameters are temperature sensitive thus management of temperature is a critical success factor in MRI (Lafon et al 2007). Attainment of this objective will be aided by the research question Does
MRI has cooling and heating effect
To determine if the thickness of body tissue affects the heating and cooling effect in MRI.
Understanding the specific nature of the relationship between thickness of body tissue and thermal effect is important. This objective will be attained with the aid of the following research question Does thickness of body tissue affect the heating and cooling effect of MRI
To determine if room temperature and time spend in MRI influence the thermal effect of MRI. Temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius could result in ablation which is undesired in cases where MRI is not being used for therapeutic reasons. Moreover low temperatures could be fatal on a patient. Determination of the values of the operational variables that would result in desired temperature levels is thus vital in addressing and harnessing the thermal effect of MRI. This will be attained with the aid of the research question Does room temperature and time spend in MRI influence the thermal effect of MRI
Research Plan
MRI use in humans is associated with multiple health and professional requirements. It is therefore highly unlikely that subjects will willingly engage in the study. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine variables that influence the thermal effects of MRI and could therefore result in temperatures that may be detrimental on human tissue. Therefore the use of live human subjects in the study may not be possible thus the pure experimental approach adopted in the study. The research involves the development of data that influence the requirements in MRI. Therefore the use of a quantitative research methodology will be in order considering that there are different factors influencing the thermal effect of MRI.
Methods and Approaches
There are three main research questions that will be addressed in the study. It is further noteworthy that the research questions build on each other and therefore share a lot with respect to the preliminary procedures. The study will use agar gel, water and oil to determine the thermal effect of MRI. The use of agar gel is mainly because the study adopts an experimental approach and agar gel displays behaviours that are similar to that of a normal tissue. Fibre optic thermometer will be used in the study due to its compatibility with a MRI scanner (Busch et al 2005). Use of olive oil and water is aimed at determining if these lubricants have any effect on the effect of MRI on temperature changes in the tissue and facilitates MRI since the existence of hydrogen ions is a prerequisite for MRI. Other equipments that will be used in the study include three beakers, a scanner and a stop watch. The specific procedure that will be used in the study is three beakers containing agar gel that is mixed with olive oil and water the mixture is placed in a scanner and a thermometer appended and recording the temperature started immediately. Three beakers are used because the experiment is repeated three times for varying thickness of the mixture so as to minimise the effects of random errors on the results. Spin echo sequence, IR, gradient echo and IR will all be used and results from the different sequences compared.
Participants
The study is experimental and does not involve human subjects. However, the presence of a researcher and an MRI specialist or a radiographer is a requirement in carrying out the study. Since the study is experimental, to ensure consistency of the findings and minimise experimental errors repetition will be used. Every experiment will be repeated three times.
Data Analysis
Analysis of the first research questions will be done via descriptive analysis of the recorded data. By using tables and graphs a clear picture of the variables that affect the thermal effects of MRI will be developed. This will mainly involve assessing differences in thermal changes resulting from change in thickness of mixture and room temperature. The second research question will be analysed with the aid of regression analysis where thermal effects is assumed to be a linear function (Polgar Thomas 2000). Regression analysis is based on correlation inferential statistics and is adopted under the assumption that there is a linear relationship between the test variables
YA1X1A2X2A3X3 E, Where A1, A2 and A3 are coefficients, E is the error term, Y is change in temperature and X1, X2 and X3 are the dependent variables thickness of mixture, room temperature and time spent in scanner.
This is a form of quantitative analysis which aids generate relationship between multiple predictors and a dependent variable (Grbich 2009). Thickness of the mixture (assumed to be indicative of thickness of tissue) room temperature and time are considered to be the predictors (independent variables) and change in temperature is considered the dependent variable. Statistical analysis will help determine the value of the coefficients and therefore the nature of relationship between the dependent and the independent variables. It is noteworthy that graphing the results and use of tables constitutes descriptive analysis whereas regression analysis is a form of inferential analysis. To ensure accuracy of the results, SPSS will be used in regression analysis.
Ethical Consideration
An important ethical consideration in the study is non-inclusion of human subject since the study may affect their health. Another ethical consideration is involvement of a MRI specialist who will help enforce rules required in MRI rooms and minimise risks of accidents in the study.
Project Management
Management of the project mainly involves consideration on budgetary requirements and the transition between activities required in carrying out the project. The following are tabular presentations of the budget and work plan.
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