Basic MRI Safety Flashcards
In what year was the first human scanned using MRI?
the mid 1977s
Even if the electrical
supply to the equipment is shut down, the magnetic field still is in force.
True or False
True, it is NEVER powered off.
Who is responsible for patients and workers not getting hurt once stepping into the MRI department?
the MRI technologist
What is the four types of magnetic classifications?
Diamagnetic
Paramagnetic
Superparamagnetic
and ferromagnetic
What is considered a diamagnetic substance?
A substance that has no net magnetic moment because they have no unapired orbital electrons.
What is an example of a diagmagnetic object?
sheets of paper and plastic
What is a paramagnetic substance?
They have unpaired orbital electrons.
What happens when a diamagnetic substance is exposed to a magnetic force?
they demonstrate NEGATIVE magnetic susceptibility (repelled by magnet)
What happens when a paramagnetic substance is exposed to MR
they have a SMALL positive magnetic susceptibility of less than one. They are SLIGHTLY attracted. therefore the magnetic field is greater.
What is an example of a paramagnetic material?
gadolinium based contrast and rare earth metals such as lanthanide.
What is a superparamagnetic substance?
they have ferromagnetic (attracted to magnets) properties in bulk. They behave similar to paramagnetic.
What is an example of a superparamagnetic substance?
iron- containing contrast agent.
What is a ferromagnetic substance
there is a positive magnetic susceptibility of greater than one. The word ferromagnetic literally means attracted to magnets.
When exposed to a magnetic field, what happens to a ferromagnetic substance?
it is permanently magnetized, even after the magnetic field is removed.
What are some examples of ferromagnetic objects?
oxygen tanks, stretchers, wheelchairs, IV poles, scissor, floor buffers, mops, mop buckets.
What is the preferred unit that we measure the magnetic force?
Tesla (T)
A 1.5 T scanner has a static field of appx. 30,000 that of the earths magnetic field.
True or False
TRUE
What term is a form of measuring the magnetic field around MR equipment?
GAUSS
1 Tesla equals how much gauss?
1 Tesla = 10,000 GAUSS.
When you see a 5-gauss line around the MRI scanner, what do you assume that means?
means the static field is higher than 5 GAUSS, which is potentially hazardous.
If I have a 2 month old baby, can they be scanned? If so , how much static magnetic field strength can be used?
up to 8.0 Tesla
If I have a one month old, how much static magnetic field strength can be used?
4.0 Tesla
What is a 5 GAUSS warning?
means the strength is 5 GAUSS which can be hazardous. People with non-compatible implants should not enter that area.
What is a fringe field?
the invisible magnetic force that extends outside the magnet. It is 360 degree perimeter around the scanner
What is active shielding?
it consists of tightly wound electromagnetic coils that alternate electrical current to restrict the magnetic field and reduce the fringe field exposures.