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Imaging

The moment when magnetism changed healthcare for good

Celebrating fifty years of magnetic resonance imaging technology, Siemens Healthineers not only reflects on the past, but also provides insights into future fields of application.

3min
Published on September 22, 2021

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has played a major role in shaping the healthcare industry’s approach to the detection, monitoring, and tracking of medical conditions. Since its invention in the 1970s, numerous improvements have been made to increase performance and accessibility. As the industry continues to digitalize, we can expect more changes that will make MRI systems more powerful and efficient.

The fifty-year history of MRI takes us from early plans scribbled on a napkin at a Pittsburgh Eat n’ Park in 1971, through developments to increase patient comfort and image quality in the 1980s, and into a future where AI can predict, survey, and manage a patient’s likelihood of developing dementia. In this special episode, Arthur Kaindl talks to experts in the field, Bruce Rosen, MD, Franz Schmitt, Jürgen Hennig, and Vivek Muthurangu, MD, about the recent and eventful history of MRI.

“50 years ago, Paul Lauterbur came up with the idea of using strong magnetic fields and applying radio waves and doing some intelligent mathematics behind it to create magnetic resonance imaging.” Arthur Kaindl, Head of Magnetic Resonance Business Line at Siemens Healthineers

Arthur Kaindl, Head of Magnetic Resonance at Siemens Healthineers.

About Arthur Kaindl

Arthur Kaindl heads the Magnetic Resonance Business Line at Siemens Healthineers. With more than twenty years of service and having held various management positions, he is deeply familiar with the research and development of MRI technology. Arthur Kaindl holds a doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hannover, Germany.
In today’s conversation, you’ll hear about the development of the first MRI scanner and the challenges faced by the inventors. You’ll learn about the improvements that have been made and the impact that they’ve had on the healthcare industry, as well as what the future holds for MRI devices and what it’ll take to get there.

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MRI at 50: The past, present, and future of a high-end imaging technology
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MRI at 50: The past, present, and future of a high-end imaging technology
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has played a big role in shaping the healthcare industry’s approach to detection, monitoring, and tracking of medical conditions. Since its invention in the 1970s, a lot of improvements have been made to increase its performance and accessibility. As the industry continues to digitalize, we can expect more changes that will make MRIs more powerful and efficient.

We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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