1. Hoglund Brain Imaging Center
MRI Safety

2. TRAINING GOALS BIO EFFECTS (RISKS TO SUBJECTS) ACCESS ZONES
MRI TERMINOLOGY
BIO EFFECTS
(RISKS TO SUBJECTS)
ACCESS ZONES
TRAINING GOALS
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
SAFETY SCREENING
MAGNET QUENCH

3. MRI TERMINOLOGY Tesla (T): magnetic field strength
Gauss (G): another measurement of field strength
Quench: to suppress or remove the magnetic field
Ferromagnetism: the attraction between a magnet and ferromagnetic materials such as iron

4. Earth = 0.5 Gauss
1.5 Tesla = 15,000 Gauss
3 Tesla = 30,000 Gauss

5. MRI Access Zones
Patient Waiting Zone I
Hallway
Zone II
Control Room
Zone III
Zone I: Trained personnel may escort and are responsible for subjects
Zone II: Trained personnel must screen all subjects entering Zone IV
Zone III and IV: Restricted Access Areas
Scanner
Zone IV

6. Read all signs before entering room

7. 24 Hours a Day
7 Days a Week
365 Days a Year

8. Main Magnetic Field Projectile or Missile Effect
Electronics Interference

9. Examples of what needs to stay in lockers

10. These items MUST be MRI Safe to enter the scanner room

11. Can enter scanner room
Needs to be approved by MRI staff
NOT MRI SAFE

12. Subjects with these items will NOT be scanned
Pacemakers/Defibrillators
Neurostimulators
Lyric Hearing Aids
Electronic Cochlear Implants
May cause the device to MALFUNCTION and may cause DEATH

13. Gradient Field Hazards
Acoustic Noise
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)

14. Acoustic Noise Problems
Annoyance
Verbal Communication Difficulties
Heightened Anxiety
Temporary Hearing Loss
In Extreme Cases, Permanent Hearing Impairment

15. Protect Hearing
Ear Plugs are Mandatory in the Scanner

16. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)
Rapid switching of the gradients may cause tingling and/or twitching in the hands, feet, or face

17. Radio Frequency Pulses
Can Cause
Tissue Heating
Antennae Effect

18. Excessive Heating
Power deposition measured by SAR (Specific Absorption Rate)
Dependent on several factors, including subject’s height, weight, and thermoregulation
Safety is regulated by FDA

19. Burns (Antenna Effects)
Equipment such as ECG leads and patient monitoring cables
Metal on or in clothing
Crossing arms/hands and legs/feet

20. Invisible metallic microfiber in clothing presents unrecognized MRI risk for cutaneous burn.
A case of a thermal burn has occurred during MR imaging likely caused by silver-embedded microfibers in the fabric of an undershirt. As the prevalence of fabric containing nondetectable metallic microfiber increases in athletic and "tech" clothing, the importance of having patients change into safe facility-provided garments before MR imaging is emphasized.

21. First Degree Burn Considerations
Transdermal Patch
Metallic Nail Polish
Body Piercings
Bullets/BB’s
Hearing Aids
IUD
Metal Shrapnel
Hair Gel & Deodorant
Tattoos

22. Screen for all metal implants and devices
Screen for surgeries
Judge on a case by case basis
Be Conservative. If there is any question, call for clarification

23. Remove Personal Items
Research participant’s personal items must be secured in lockers.
Researchers must remove personal items before entering scanner room.
Hair Pins/Clips
Fit Bit
Money Clips
Jewelry
Cell Phones
Credit Cards
Watch
Keys
Pens
Badges
Coins
Lanyard

24. Remove Non-Projectile Items
Credit Cards
Flash Drives
CD’s

25. Not Allowed In Zone IV Crash Cart AED Oxygen Tanks
Metal or Electrical Equipment
Emergency Response Team

26. “Playground” Rules Respect Other Researchers Scheduling
During In-Progress Scans
Respect Privacy of our Subjects
Send Required Paperwork

27. What Can Happen When Rules Are Not Followed?

28. Good Luck with your Research