VOA双语新闻：9、活动部位核磁共振扫描法问世（在线收听）

活动部位核磁共振扫描法问世

Since its introduction in the 1980s, magnetic resonance imaging machines, commonly known as MRI scanners, have become a highly valuable tool in diagnostic medicine.  Researchers in California now say they have developed a new method that enables them to see moving images of body joints.

核磁共振扫描机是在1980年代问世的。它已经成为诊断医学非常宝贵的工具。美国加州的研究人员说，他们开发了一种新的扫描机，能够扫描活动的人体关节。

With the MRI scanner, the part of the patient’s body that needs to be observed is exposed to a very strong magnetic field which excites hydrogen atoms in its tissues.

接受核磁共振扫描的时候，病人身体需要观察的部分被置于很强的磁场之内，这一磁场会激活人体组织中的氢原子。

Different tissues emit different radio frequencies which a computer turns into images.  For the image to be as clear as possible, the patient has to lie perfectly still.

不同的组织释放出不同频率的无线电波，由电脑把这些电波转化成图像。为了让图像尽可能清晰，病人必须完全静止不动。

Researchers at the University of California Davis developed a procedure for getting moving images of body parts, like joints.

加州大学戴维斯分校的研究人员开发了一种扫描方法，能扫描关节这类人体部位的活动中的图像。

Professor Robert Boutin, who leads the research team, says the procedure called ‘Active MRI’, captures multiple images per second. Those images, he says, will help doctors analyze the mechanics of the patient's joint before and after the surgery.

布亭教授领导这个研究小组。他说，新方法叫做“活动部位核磁共振扫描”。扫描机每一秒钟能记录多个图像。他说，这将帮助医生分析病人的关节在手术前和术后的机械功能。

“One thing that is important is that we can personalize the exam to address what is causing symptoms to the patient, rather than doing the same thing for everyone," Boutin said.

“重要的一点是，我们可以把检查个体化，研究究竟是什么导致这一个病人的症状，而不是为所有病人做同样的检查。”

As one observed patient moves his wrist, one of the most complicated joints in a human body, the image clearly shows the interaction of all the parts involved.

接受检查的病人在转动手腕，这是人体最复杂的关节。图像清晰地显示出所有相关联部位的互动。

The new procedure has already helped him find out what is causing problems for his patients, said orthopaedic surgeon Robert Szabo.

骨外科医生斯扎博说，新的扫描方法已经在帮助他寻找病人症状的原因了。

“We can understand why one person develops an unstable wrist, why one person has pain and wears out the joint surface in one area of the wrist and what we can do to replace, make better products over even make soft tissue corrections to improve that patients life.”

“我们可以理解，为什么有人的手腕会不稳。为什么有人的手腕会疼，表皮会磨损。怎样替换表皮。怎样改进替代产品。甚至纠正软组织，改善病人生活。”

Boutin said ‘Active MRI’ will also help doctors better understand all other moving parts of the body.

布亭医生说，活动部位核磁共振扫描还将帮助医生更好的理解人体所有其他活动部位。

“I think that it could and should be applied to every other joint in the body, not only other joints, but muscles and tendons," he said. "We are built to move and I think that MR imaging should reflect that.”

布亭说：“我认为，它肯定可以而且应该能应用到人体的所有其他关节。还不止是关节，而且包括肌肉和筋腱。人生来是要活动的。我认为活动部位核磁共振扫描应当反映这一点。”

Doctors say they expect further improvements in the new technology that could also help make better prosthetics for amputees.

医生们说，他们预计新技术会进一步改善，这还可能有助于为被截肢者制造更好的假肢。