1. How many MRI scanners are there in the world?

Today, there are about 22,000 MRI scanners in this world that provide services to 60 million people a year.

2. Where can an MRI be applied?

MRI is applicable to the following parts of the human body: brain and spine, musculoskeletal system, thoracic and cardiovascular system, abdomen, otorhinolaryngology and ophthalmology.

(1) Brain and spine: Intracranial and spinal diseases, except acute trauma that CT scan is more convenient and faster. As MRI provides detailed images of the body in any plane and greater contrast images, it facilitates more accurate diagnosis.

(2) Musculoskeletal system: MRI delivers images of greater contrast and higher resolution, it helps better diagnose of soft tissues, ligaments, joints, bone diseases and cartilages.

(3) Thoracic and cardiovascular system: By comparing the signals between soft tissue and blood flow, we can make quantitative analysis and multiple-plain choices. Particularly, it does not need contrast agents containing iodine to present more information for mass inside and around the heart, congenital heart disease and great vessels (e.g. aorta) anomalies.

(4) Abdomen: Mediastinal mass assessment. It can also be applied to detect internal organ diseases and cancer staging, such as the liver, spleen, gall track, kidney, prostate, ovary and uterus.

(5) Otorhinolaryngology (ORL): ORL lesion (e.g. skull base and intracranial invasions) diagnosis, and excellent soft tissue resolution, such as glands, fat and muscles.

(6) Ophthalmology: Clearly shows the anatomic structure and pathological changes inside the eye.

3. Scope of application: MRI can be used on living things and objects other than humans.

In addition to the human body, MRI is a very important too for agricultural and livestock product screening, improvement and even psychological studies. 　　It can search the water content in agricultural products, such as the starch and water distribution and proportion in rice. The Institute of Food Science and Technology, MRI, even uses it to detect the water content in sweet potatoes in order to find a better taste for agricultural product improvement. 　　Before in invention of the MRI, we had to peel fruit in order to see if it had decayed. We were unable to view the original picture before opening it. With the MRI, we can "view" and see fruit without opening it to see the best time to enjoy it.