• India has developed its first indigenous Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner that will be installed at AIIMS-Delhi by October for clinical trials and evaluation.

• The initiative is aimed at considerably reducing the cost of MRI scanning and reliance on imported machines, thus allowing wider public access.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for installation of the 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner has been signed between AIIMS-Delhi and Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) — an autonomous research and development organisation, functioning under the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in Mumbai.

What is MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images. It is often used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring. It is based on sophisticated technology that excites and detects the change in the direction of the rotational axis of protons found in the water that makes up living tissues.

How does an MRI scan work?

• Most of the human body is made up of water molecules, which consist of hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

• At the centre of each hydrogen atom is an even smaller particle called a proton. Protons are like tiny magnets and are very sensitive to magnetic fields.

• When the patient is under the powerful scanner magnets, the protons in the body line up in the same direction, in the same way that a magnet can pull the needle of a compass. 

• Short bursts of radio waves are then sent to certain areas of the body, knocking the protons out of alignment.

• When the radio waves are turned off, the protons realign. This sends out radio signals, which are picked up by receivers.

• These signals provide information about the exact location of the protons in the body.

• They also help to distinguish between the various types of tissue in the body, because the protons in different types of tissue realign at different speeds and produce distinct signals.

• In the same way that millions of pixels on a computer screen can create complex pictures, the signals from the millions of protons in the body are combined to create a detailed image of the inside of the body.

Significance of development of indigenous MRI machine

• Majority of equipment in critical and post operative care, ICUs, robotics, MRIs in India are imported.

• The development of this indigenous MRI machine is a major step towards becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat to reduce dependence on foreign imported devices.

• The upcoming trials at AIIMS Delhi will assess the machine’s accuracy, safety, and efficiency compared to imported models. If successful, it could pave the way for large-scale manufacturing and deployment across government and private hospitals.

• The move aligns with the government’s push to promote indigenous innovation in healthcare, reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers and strengthening India’s position in the global medical technology sector.

• This achievement holds immense promise for making advanced diagnostics more affordable and accessible, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where MRI facilities are scarce. 

• By fostering domestic R&D and manufacturing, India can not only cut healthcare costs but also emerge as a key player in the global med-tech industry. 

• Once the scanner is validated for use in health facilities, the cost of MRI scans is likely to drop by around 50 per cent, making diagnostics accessible to a broader population.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)