MRI Safety: Question on Potential Burns

  • Thread starter vabamyyr
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    Mri Safety
In summary, the safety manual says that whenever you are scanning a patient with a certain surface coil you should remove all unplugged coils from the bore during the scan. For example, if you have a head/neck + spine coil matrix with two coil ports and you are scanning only the spine part then you should either connect the head part also or remove head/neck coil from the bore.
  • #1
vabamyyr
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Hi,

MRI safety manual says that whenever you are scanning a patient with a certain surface coil you should remove all unplugged coils from the bore during the scan. For example, if you have a head/neck + spine coil matrix with two coil ports and you are scanning only the spine part then you should either connect the head part also or remove head/neck coil from the bore.
I was wondering what is the physical mechanism that can cause patient burns?
For example, if you scan patient's spine and leave the head coil unplugged. I was thinking in the lines that somehow when the patient is in contact with the unplugged coil it could create a conducting loop between the unplugged coil, patient, patient table maybe and when this loop is in a RF field it causes current to flow in that loop that could cause burns to the patient.
 
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  • #2
Thats not burns, but high voltage shock, what is dangerous.

MRI involves very strong magnetic field, so high voltage could get induced on open connectors of the coil as it changes its position with even small patient's moves or when the magnetic field is switched on/off. That voltage could possibly be dangerous if someone touches the connector. The same coil could also catch RF magnetic fields of other coils and thus got inducted voltage.
 
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  • #3
I think the concern would be two-fold, burns and bad images. A MRI coil is a structure which is, by design, resonant at the system's frequency. So, when you are running a pulse sequence that deposits a lot of RF then the coil will be absorbing a lot of energy, perhaps a few kilowatts, and could get hot. Plugging the coil into the table allows the system to "detune" the coil so that it is no longer resonant when the system is transmitting RF. Since it is not resonant, it absorbs little energy, perhaps a few milliwatts, and does not get hot.

With the interference of a resonant structure, even if it doesn't get hot, it should degrade your image quality, i.e. change local flip angles, add noise by inductive coupling to a bigger volume, etc.
 
  • #4
Thank you DaleSpam for your reply.
 
  • #5
The administrator at this forum (Bertus) is an MRI specialist who might answer your question authoritatively.

www.allaboutcircuits.com

go well
 

Related to MRI Safety: Question on Potential Burns

1. What is an MRI scan and how does it work?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a medical imaging technique that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. The patient lies inside a large, cylindrical machine that generates the magnetic field and records the radio waves emitted by the body's tissues. These signals are then processed by a computer to create images of the internal structures.

2. What is the risk of burns during an MRI scan?

The risk of burns during an MRI scan is very low, but it is a potential side effect that should be taken seriously. Burns can occur if a patient has metal objects on their body, such as jewelry or clothing with metal fasteners, that can heat up and cause skin burns due to the strong magnetic field of the MRI machine. This risk is also higher for patients with implanted medical devices, such as pacemakers or metal prosthetics.

3. How can I prevent burns during an MRI scan?

To prevent burns during an MRI scan, it is important to follow all safety guidelines provided by the medical staff. This includes removing all metal objects from your body, such as jewelry, piercings, and clothing with metal fasteners. If you have any implanted medical devices, inform the staff beforehand so they can take necessary precautions. It is also important to stay still during the scan, as movement can cause metal objects to heat up and potentially cause burns.

4. What are the symptoms of a burn during an MRI scan?

Symptoms of a burn during an MRI scan may include a warm or burning sensation on the skin, redness, and blistering. If you experience any of these symptoms during the scan, inform the medical staff immediately. In rare cases, more severe burns can occur, which may require medical treatment.

5. What safety measures are in place to prevent burns during an MRI scan?

To prevent burns during an MRI scan, medical facilities have strict safety protocols in place. These include screening patients for any metal objects and providing them with appropriate clothing to wear during the scan. The MRI machine also has sensors that can detect any metal objects and will automatically turn off if it detects a potential hazard. Additionally, trained medical staff are present during the scan to monitor for any potential risks and respond quickly if necessary.

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