A revolutionary new sensor developed by Danish researcher Hans Stærkind from the Niels Bohr Institute and the MRI Research Section at Hvidovre Hospital promises to significantly improve the accuracy of MRI scans. This invention has the potential to reduce errors in MRI images and thus enhance diagnostic processes. Stærkind explains that the sensor is designed to function in MRI scanners with very powerful magnetic fields. “Our sensor can identify and measure irregularities in the magnetic field, allowing for adjustments and improvements in the quality of the images produced by the scanner,” he says.
This technology is still in the prototype phase, but its potential is significant. It can not only make MRI scans more precise, but also faster and cheaper in the future. “It is a game-changer for medical imaging,” Stærkind adds. MRI scanners are indispensable in modern medicine and are used daily in hospitals around the world. They work by creating strong magnetic fields that can generate detailed images of the body’s interior. However, variations in the strength of the magnetic field can result in errors in the images, which can affect diagnoses.
The new sensor offers a solution by measuring the magnetic field more accurately. “Traditional methods have been limited and have not changed significantly in the last 50 years. With this new technology, we can obtain more accurate data, improving image quality,” explains Stærkind. Although the primary application is within MRI scanning, the sensor can also be used in other technological and industrial areas that work with high magnetic fields.
However, it will take time before this new sensor can be widely implemented, as it must undergo extensive testing and approval processes. “We are looking at a timeframe of five to ten years before it can be used routinely in hospitals,” says Stærkind. Until then, the team is focusing on enhancing and refining the technology.