The development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology for use in space—A progress report

Abstract

We have been developing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology that is suitable for imaging astronauts in space for a little more than a decade. The technology may be classified as “gradient-free” MRI and works by using Radio Frequency (RF) spatial phase encoding instead of the usual magnetic field gradient mediated spatial frequency encoding. Here a progress report is given along with an outline of where and how MRI can be used in future space flight. To date we have completed several design concept studies for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), have flown a prototype in zero-g and have developed an approach that can realize the CSA’s Health Beyond vision for the MRI technology. The first applications for MRI in space will be for research on the effects of space flight on the human body, especially that of interplanetary radiation. Following that, MRI can be a central part of an integrated spacecraft medical system and used for diagnostic medical purposes.