Meeting Banner
Abstract #4413

Reference-Free Detection of RF Unsafe Conditions and Countermeasures for Implantable MR-Conditional Devices

Ingmar Graesslin1, Johannes Achtzehn1, Sascha Krueger1, Peter Vernickel1, Kay Nehrke1, Steffen Weiss1

1Philips Research, Hamburg, Germany

The presence of implants mostly represents a contraindication for MR examinations. Here, a concept based on parallel transmit technology is used to detect potentially RF-unsafe conditions due to implants by monitoring the currents in transmit coils. The original method had required a reference scan without device. Here, the method was improved by exploiting the left-right symmetry of patients to avoid the reference scan. Hence, the method may be applied to patients with implants. Basic feasibility of this concept is shown in pseudo-in vivo and phantom studies by detecting coupling to pacemaker leads. Tip heating could be reduced by a factor of 6 by changing the transmit phases.

Keywords

absolute acquisition adjusted aiming allowed amplitude amplitudes assess basic became become body bottom cellulose channel channels coefficients coil coils complex concept conditional conditions conductivity configuration configurations connections connector constant contains correlation countermeasures coupled coupling database detect detection deviation deviations device devices difficult driven eight electrode electrodes element ethyl evaluated even experiment extended feasibility feed finally findings five future guided heat heating helpful identify implant implantable implants important improved in vivo induced intervals interventions largest lead leads length like linear liters load loading magnitude making measured monitored monitoring monitors moving necessary needs norm normalized optic pacemaker pairs parallel patient peter phantom placed placement position potential potentially prevent proposed pseudo ranging realistic reduced reducing reduction represent resonant reversal reversed safety saline scanner shape side situations strongest studies subjects subsequently sufficient suggests suitable support symmetry system table technical technology temp temperature thighs torso transmission transmit tube typical unnecessary unsafe varies various velocity volunteer volunteers waveform weaker