• Zink
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    1 year ago

    When you go into an MRI room you hear this weird but very distinct sound from the liquid helium pumps keeping the giant superconducting magnets near absolute zero.

    Then when it runs, the vibrations from the current being pushed through the gradient coils is significant enough that you need hearing protection.

    It’s serious business in there. But it lets us see inside our bodies without incisions or ionizing radiation, so it’s also awesome. But jeez some people and their guns.

    • Waraugh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      1 year ago

      I’ve had two and recall an eerie feeling but the only noise I remember was some clanking. Maybe my mind is just shot. Is the noise you are referring to just when they are first starting things up?

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        1 year ago

        The pump sound is always there and never changes. However, maybe you don’t hear it in some facilities with different layouts. I’ve used a few facilities and always heard it.

        For the loud noises from the vibration, that happens while they’re actually doing the scans. Different portions of the scan create distinct sounds, though I don’t know which sound goes to which measurements. There’s gotta be a YouTube video about it.

        The sounds have a harsh buzz to their tone, like somebody is playing sound effects through a Tesla coil.

        I’ve told people that getting an MRI, particularly one where you need to go head-first into the tube, can feel like an alien abduction!