Imaging system earns Nobel Prize for scientists

British scientist Peter Mansfield and American Paul C Lauterbur have won the 2003 Nobel Prize for medicine.

The pair received the prize for their discoveries in magnetic resonance imaging, a routine procedure used by doctors to examine patients without having to conduct surgery.

Lauterbur, 74, discovered the possibility to create a two-dimensional picture by introducing gradients in the magnetic field.

By analysis of the characteristics of the emitted radio waves, he could determine their origin. This made it possible to build up two-dimensional pictures of structures that could not be visualised with other methods.

Mansfield, 70, showed how the signals could be mathematically analysed, which made it possible to develop a useful imaging technique. He also showed how extremely fast imaging could be achievable. This became technically possible within medicine a decade later.

Imaging of human internal organs with exact and non-invasive methods is important for medical diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

The pair were lauded for their seminal discoveries concerning the use of magnetic resonance to visualise different structures, which led to the development of modern magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, which represents a breakthrough in medical diagnostics and research.

The prize includes a cheque for €1.14m.

Mansfield said of his award: “It is, I suppose, every scientist’s hope that one day they may be singled out for such an honour but I must say that in my case I did think about it a few years ago, but then dismissed it.”

Worldwide, more than 60 million investigations with MRI are performed each year, the Nobel Assembly said.

Essentially, MRI turns hydrogen atoms in the body’s tissues into tiny radio transmitters. Hydrogen atoms are plentiful because they’re found in water molecules, which are very widespread in the body.

By tracking where those atoms are, an MRI machine can build up a picture of internal organs.