Local heating of metallic objects from switching magnetic gradients in MRI

John Stroud; Karl Stupic; Tucker Walsh; Zbigniew Celinski; Janusz H. Hankiewicz

doi:10.1117/12.2512903

15 March 2019 Local heating of metallic objects from switching magnetic gradients in MRI

John Stroud, Karl Stupic, Tucker Walsh, Zbigniew Celinski, Janusz H. Hankiewicz

Proceedings Volume 10954, Medical Imaging 2019: Imaging Informatics for Healthcare, Research, and Applications; 109540O (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2512903
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2019, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Previously it has been shown that heat induced in metallic objects due to fast switching magnetic gradients can pose a possible danger not only for patients undergoing MRI procedures, but also to medical staff present. In this study, we investigate magnetic flux changes and the effects of local heating in metallic elements by eddy currents due to fast switching magnetic gradients at several specific positions with respect to the isocenter of the gradient coils. Experiments were performed in a 3 T preclinical scanner with a 30 cm bore. To probe the induced electro motive force (EMF), which results in induced eddy currents, small pickup coils were used at various locations in the scanner. To investigate heating, metallic cylinders (12.5 mm diameter, 12.6 mm height) were prepared with a pinhole to accommodate miniature fiber optic temperature sensors. A gradient echo axial imaging sequence was applied for 4 minutes after achieving thermal equilibrium with the magnet. Three different materials were used in this study: copper, aluminum, and Ti-6AL-4V, a titanium alloy commonly used in orthopedic implants. In these experiments, a direct dependence on position and gradient strength on the induced EMF was observed. As expected, the increase of temperature depended directly on distance and material composition. Heating can be a danger during imaging of patients with conductive implants that are placed away from the isocenter. Thus, our findings are vital to patient safety and comfort during MRI procedures.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

John Stroud, Karl Stupic, Tucker Walsh, Zbigniew Celinski, and Janusz H. Hankiewicz "Local heating of metallic objects from switching magnetic gradients in MRI", Proc. SPIE 10954, Medical Imaging 2019: Imaging Informatics for Healthcare, Research, and Applications, 109540O (15 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2512903

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