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Table of Contents
Sir Peter Mansfield was a physicist who developed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology. For this revolutionary development, he was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Paul Lauterbur.
Key Facts & Information
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
- Peter Mansfield was born in Lambeth, London on October 9, 1933.
- He was the youngest of three brothers born to Sidney George and Rose Lillian Mansfield.
- During World War II, he moved away from London, first to Sevenoaks and then to Torquay, Devon.
- At 15 years old, he was told by a careers teacher that he was not meant to pursue a career in science.
- He left school at age 15 to work as a printer’s assistant.
- At 18, Mansfield had developed a keen interest in rocketry and sought a job with the Rocket Propulsion Department of the Ministry of Supply in Westcott, Buckinghamshire.
- He was called up for national service eighteen months later.
- Upon his return after serving in the army for two years, he went on to study for A-Levels at night school.
- Subsequently, he was offered admission at Queen Mary College at the University of London where he studied physics and specialized in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance is a technique used in analytical chemistry for determining the content, purity and molecular structure of chemicals.
- Peter Mansfield graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Queen Mary College in 1959.
- Under the supervision of NMR physicist Jack Powles, Mansfieldβs final-year project was to build a portable, transistor-based spectrometer to measure the magnetic field of the Earth.
- In 1962, he received his doctorate degree in physics from the University of London.
- Mansfield was then invited to carry out postdoctoral NMR research with Charlie Slichter at the University of Illinois at UrbanaβChampaign.
DEVELOPMENT OF MRI
- In 1964, Mansfield returned to England to join the Department of Physics at Nottingham University where he initially worked as a lecturer.
- He became a professor in 1969 and professor emeritus in 1994.
- By the early 1970s, Mansfieldβs team had been working on the application of NMR to imaging that led directly to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a technique used in radiology to create pictures of human anatomy and physiology.
- With the aid of grants from the Medical Research Council, Mansfieldβs team was able to develop the MRI equipment.
- NMR could be used to form images of the body in the 1970s thanks to the work of Mansfield and American chemist Paul Lauterbur.Β
- NMR worked by selectively absorbing high-frequency radio waves by atomic nuclei subjected to a powerful stationary magnetic field.
- Mansfield expanded upon Lauterburβs discoveries by developing a way of selecting a slice of a material to be imaged, and creating the concept of line-scan imaging to create the image.
- Mansfield and his team showed how the radio signals from MRI could be mathematically analyzed and be used as an interpretation ofΒ images.
- The team produced their first human body part image (a cross-section of a finger) using MRI technology in 1977.
- In 1978, with a magnet large enough to scan the entire human body, they scanned their first image of a human (Mansfieldβs abdomen).
- Mansfield continued to work on developing MRI technology which led to developing a rapid imaging technique called echo-planar imaging.
- Echo-planar imaging (EPI) brought down MRI scanning times from hours to seconds.
- Mansfield developed EPI primarily to produce the first real-time MRI scans of coronary vessels.Β
- For developing the MRI, Mansfield was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which he shared with Paul Lauterbur.
- Unlike X-ray and CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI does not have harmful side effects.
- It is also a non-invasive technique which is why it has been an invaluable medical imaging tool.
- The first MRI scanner for clinical use was built in 1980 at the University of Aberdeen.
- It became commercially available by 1984.
AWARDS AND HONORS
- For his revolutionary work and dedication to science, Peter Mansfield was given numerous awards and honors throughout his life.
- In 1987, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society and President of the Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
- Mansfield was knighted in 1993.
- With increased funding and royalties from the numerous patents Mansfield had held, the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre was established at Nottingham in 1991.
- The Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre is dedicated to MRI research.
PERSONAL LIFE
- Mansfield married Jean Margaret Kibble on September 1, 1962.
- The couple had two daughters.
- His wife worked at the University Health Centre as a secretary.
- Even after his retirement in 1994, he continued to collaborate with colleagues.
- At 83 years old, Peter Mansfield died in Nottingham on February 8, 2017.
Sir Peter Mansfield Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Sir Peter Mansfield across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching about Sir Peter Mansfield, the physicist who developed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology. For this revolutionary development, he was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Paul Lauterbur.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Peter Mansfield Facts
- Hero Of Health
- Career Timeline
- Related Vocabulary
- Importance Of Imaging
- Imaging Techniques
- About Paul Lauterbur
- Speech Analysis
- Nobel Awardees
- Modify The Bluffs
- Invention For Health
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Peter Mansfield?
Peter Mansfield was a British physicist and Nobel laureate known for his groundbreaking work in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Born on October 9, 1933, in London, he became a prominent figure in the development of MRI technology.
What is Peter Mansfield’s contribution to MRI?
Peter Mansfield’s major contribution to MRI was his work on developing the mathematical and practical aspects of the imaging technique. He introduced the concept of using gradients in magnetic fields to encode spatial information in MRI images. This technique, known as “gradient echo imaging,” significantly improved the speed and quality of MRI scans, making it a practical diagnostic tool.
When did Peter Mansfield win the Nobel Prize, and what was it for?
Peter Mansfield was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2003, along with Paul Lauterbur, for their discoveries concerning MRI. Lauterbur contributed to the initial concept of MRI, and Mansfield’s innovations in gradient echo imaging helped transform MRI into a clinically useful imaging modality.
What are the medical implications of Peter Mansfield’s work?
Peter Mansfield’s contributions to MRI revolutionized medical imaging. MRI has become an essential diagnostic tool, allowing doctors to obtain detailed images of soft tissues in the body without using ionizing radiation. It is widely used for diagnosing various medical conditions, including brain and spinal cord injuries, tumors, joint problems, and cardiovascular issues.
What other awards and honors did Peter Mansfield receive during his career?
Apart from the Nobel Prize, Peter Mansfield received several other prestigious awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to science and MRI technology. Some of these include the Wolf Prize in Medicine, the European Magnetic Resonance Award, and the Royal Medal from the Royal Society, among others. His work had a profound impact on medical science and earned him recognition from the scientific community worldwide.
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