SIMRM: 2D and 3D Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sequence Simulator for Interactive Education and Learning

Abstract Learning the physics and technology of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) represents one of the most complex and abstract topics in the training path of Radiologic Technology students and Diagnostic Imaging residents. MRI image formation is governed by a complex and non-linear network of parametric interdependencies. To bridge the gap between theory and practice without saturating the scanner time of real systems, SIMRM, a modular web-based application with free access, was developed. The software allows real-time manipulation of 2D and 3D sequence parameters, immediately showing the estimated impact on signal metrics and on the rendering of synthetic anatomical maps. This work describes its logical architecture and modular structure, and proposes an experimental protocol to evaluate its effectiveness in the educational field.