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Operator Manual Ge Signa Explorer Safetyguide - 2381696 - en - r13

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297 views

Operator Manual Ge Signa Explorer Safetyguide - 2381696 - en - r13

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Samir Oliveira de Deus

Available Formats

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GE Healthcare

MR Safety Guide

Operator Manual
GE Medical Systems, LLC, doing business as GE Healthcare

MR Safety Guide
Operator Manual, English
2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13
© 2012 General Electric Company
All rights reserved.
MR Safety Guide

Applicable Regulations and Standards

Medical Device Directive
These products conform with the requirements of council directive 93/42/EEC concerning medical devices,
when they bear the following CE Mark of Conformity:

Manufacturer
Refer to your operator manual for the manufacturer’s address.

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. The equipment may cause radio
frequency interference with other medical and non-medical devices and radio communications. To provide
reasonable protection against such interference, the:
GE MR System
complies with emissions limits for (Group 2, Class A) Medical Devices as stated in EN 60601-1-2. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If this equipment is found to cause interference (which may be determined by turning the equipment on and
off), the user (or qualified service personnel) should attempt to correct the problem by one or more of the
following measures:

reorient or relocated the affected devices;

increase the separation between equipment and the affected device;
power the equipment from a source different from that of the affected device; and/or
consult the point of purchase or service representative for further suggestions.

The manufacturer is not responsible for any interference caused by using interconnect cables that are not
recommended or by unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment. Unauthorized changes or
modifications could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Do not use devices that transmit RF Signals (cellular phones, transceivers, or radio controlled products) in
the vicinity of this equipment as they may cause performance outside the published specifications. Keep the
power to these types of devices turned off when near this equipment.
The medical staff in charge of this equipment is required to instruct technicians, patients, and other people
who may be around this equipment to fully comply with the above requirement.
Immunity/Emissions Exceptions: Note the exceptions from the EMC test results. Check with the business
EMC engineer for this information.
In accordance with the international safety standard IEC 60601-1, this system is:

a Class I device
acceptable for Continuous Operation
having ordinary protection against ingress of water (IPX0)

2 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

CAUTION
This symbol indicates that the waste of electrical and electronic equipment must not be disposed as
unsorted municipal waste and must be collected separately. Contact an authorized representative
of the manufacturer for information concerning the decommissioning of your equipment.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 3

4 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Applicable Regulations and Standards 2

Chapter 1: Introduction to MR Safety Guide 1-1

About this manual 1-2
Safety information 1-2
Safety notices 1-2
Purpose of this manual 1-3
Prerequisite skills 1-3
Pop-up windows 1-3

Chapter 2: Safety 2-1

Introduction 2-2
Safety Information 2-3
User Training 2-4
Product identification labels 2-5
Indications for use 2-11
Restrictions on use 2-12
Instructions for use 2-13
Contraindications for use 2-15
Contraindications for use statement 2-15
MR safety standards 2-17
IEC EMC compliance 2-18
Temperature and humidity specifications 2-23
MRCC Operating Environment 2-24
Magnetic field basics 2-25
Static magnetic fields 2-26
Security zone 2-28
Exclusion zone 2-34
Biological effects 2-36
Ferromagnetic objects 2-37
Spatial magnetic field data 2-39
Magnet information 2-40
Definitions 2-40
Spatial Magnetic Field 2-41
HFO Static Spatial Gradients In Patient Gap with Various Radii 2-48
Static spatial gradients on concentric cylinders 2-50
Cryogen and quench concerns 2-55
Gradient magnetic fields 2-57
Calculate maximum gradient output 2-58
Gradient output limits 2-59
Product maximum gradient output 2-60
Peripheral nerve stimulation 2-61

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 TOC-1

Acoustic noise 2-64

Electromagnetic fields 2-66
MR frequencies for Multi-Nuclear Spectroscopy (MNS) 2-66
Tissue heating 2-67
Contact point heating 2-70
Conductive material heating 2-72
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits 2-73
Maximum B1rms for Transmit Body Coils and Transmit Head Coils 2-76
Clinical hazards 2-77
High risk patients 2-78
Scanning hazards 2-79
Equipment hazards 2-81
Laser alignment lights 2-82
Cables and equipment connections 2-84
Clinical screening 2-86
Screening form 2-87
MR compatibility 2-89
Patient emergencies 2-90
Emergency medical procedures 2-90
Patient alert system 2-91
Emergency stop 2-92
Emergency off 2-93
PDU power off 2-94
Magnet rundown 2-95
Table transport emergency release 2-96
Scan and Display introduction 2-100
Scan 2-101
Display 2-108
System maintenance 2-112
General cleaning 2-113
Exhaust fan 2-114
Maintenance services 2-115
Magnet Rundown Unit test procedure 2-116
Procedures introduction 2-118
Protect the security and exclusion zones 2-119
Screen patients and personnel 2-121
Prepare the patient 2-123
Protect the patient from RF burns 2-125
Protect the patient's eyes and ears 2-132
Patient emergencies 2-133
Equipment or environmental emergencies 2-134
Magnet emergencies 2-135
Quench with vent failure 2-136

TOC-2 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

© 2012 General Electric Company
Check cryogen levels 2-137
Systems with a Helium Level Meter 2-137
Systems with a Magnet Monitor Unit 2-137
Handle contact with liquid cryogens 2-138
Safety review 2-139
MR compatibility test guidelines 2-140
MR compatibility standards 2-140
PM service schedules 2-141
Discovery MR750 3.0T and MR450 1.5T and Optima MR450w 1.5T 2-142
0.7T 2-145
HDxt 1.5T and 3.0T 2-148
1.5T for HDx and HDx prior systems 2-151
3.0T for HDx and HDx prior systems 2-155
Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 System 2-158
China RoHS label directive 2-161
Signa 1.5T & 3.0T Systems 2-161

Glossary Glossary-1
Index Index-1

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 TOC-3

TOC-4 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Chapter 1: Introduction to MR Safety Guide

The MR Safety Guide presents the concepts necessary to successfully complete the working safely process.
Before using your system, familiarize yourself with the purpose and design of this manual.
About this manual

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 1-1

About this manual

This section explains the purpose and design of this operator manual. It is an introduction to the manual,
providing information on the purpose, prerequisite skills, organization, format, and graphic conventions that
identify the visual symbols used throughout the manual.

The manual does not identify components or features that are standard or purchasable options.
Therefore, if a feature or component included in the manual is not on your system, it is either not
available on your system configuration or your site has not purchased the option.

Safety information
Please refer to the MR Safety chapter. The MR Safety chapter describes the safety information you and the
physicians must understand thoroughly before you begin to use the system. If you need additional training,
seek assistance from qualified GE Healthcare personnel.
The equipment is intended for use by qualified personnel only.
This manual should be kept with the equipment and should be readily available at all times. It is important
for you to periodically review the procedures and safety precautions. It is important to read and
understand the contents of this manual before attempting to use this product.
Federal Law restricts this device to sale, distribution, and use by or on the order of a physician.

Safety notices
The following safety notices are used to emphasize certain safety instructions. This manual uses the
international symbol along with the danger, warning, or caution message. This section also describes the
purpose of an Important notice and a Note.

DANGER
Danger is used to identify conditions or actions for which a specific hazard is known to exist that will
cause severe personal injury, death, or substantial property damage if the instructions are ignored.

WARNING
Warning is used to identify conditions or actions for which a specific hazard is known to exist that
may cause severe personal injury, death, or substantial property damage if the instructions are
ignored.

CAUTION
Caution is used to identify conditions or actions for which a potential hazard may exist that will or
can cause minor personal injury or property damage if the instructions are ignored.

Coil CAUTION
Coil Caution is used to identify conditions or actions for which a potential hazard of crossing or
looping coil cables may exist that will or can cause minor personal injury or property damage if the
instructions are ignored.

1-2 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Pinch Point CAUTION

Pinch Point Caution is used to identify conditions or actions that will or can cause personal injury.

Important indicates information where adherence to procedures is crucial or where your

comprehension is necessary to apply a concept or effectively use the product.

Note provides additional information that is helpful to you. It may emphasize certain information
regarding special tools or techniques, items to check before proceeding, or factors to consider about a
concept or task.

Troubleshooting tips provide information that allow you to investigate the resolution of some type of
problem, locate the difficulty, and make adjustments to solve the problem

Purpose of this manual

This manual is written for health care professionals (namely, the MR technologist) to provide the necessary
information relating to the proper operation of this system. The manual is intended to teach you the system
components and features necessary to use your MR system to its maximum potential. It is not intended to
teach magnetic resonance imaging or to make any type of clinical diagnosis.

Prerequisite skills
This manual is not intended to teach the principles of magnetic resonance imaging. It is necessary for you
to have sufficient knowledge to competently perform the various diagnostic imaging procedures within
your modality. This knowledge is gained through a variety of educational methods, including clinical
working experience, hospital-based programs, or classes offered by many college and university Radiologic
Technology diagnostic imaging programs.

Pop-up windows
Pop-up message windows require an acknowledgement typically by clicking OK. Always click OK to
acknowledge the message.
If there are multiple floating window on the screen, click on the window title to bring it in front or close the
window in front to access the windows that is behind it.

Graphic conventions and legends

This manual uses special conventions for images and legends to make it easier for you to work with the
information. The table below describes the conventions used when working with menus, buttons, text
boxes, and keyboard keys.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 1-3

Table 1-1: Graphic conventions

Example Description
UI conventions Blue text indicates a link to another topic.
Select Select an option in a check box or radial button and selecting a tab.
Press Enter Press a hard key on the keyboard.
Press and hold Shift Press and holding down a hard key on the keyboard.
Click Viewer A button label or Interface button name that you actively click. If
there is a reference to a button label that is not actively clicked, it is
not displayed as bold or italic.
In the Spacing field... The name of field in which you can select or type text.
Type supine in the Patient Text you enter into a field box followed by pressing the Enter key on
Position text box the keyboard.
Select Sort > Sort by date The pathway of selecting option(s) in a pull-down menu.
Ctrl X simultaneously Press and hold the Control button on the keyboard and
simultaneously press the X button on the keyboard. Ctrl is the
abbreviation used for the Control keyboard button, and ALT is the
abbreviation used for the Alternative keyboard.
"message" A system message prompt is in quotations.
Cancel/Close Cancel/Close typically closes a screen without executing the
changes on the screen. The instructions to Cancel/Close are
typically not included in procedures in this manual.

Table 1-2: Mouse controls conventions

Operator manual instruction Mouse action

Click Click the left mouse button to select a button or icon.
Right-click Click the right mouse button.
Middle-click Click the middle mouse button.
Click and drag Click and hold the left mouse button down while dragging the
cursor to the desired location.
Right-click and drag Click and hold the right mouse button down while dragging the
cursor to the desired location.
Middle-click and drag Click and hold the middle mouse button down while dragging the
cursor to the desired location.
Double-click Click the left mouse button twice in rapid succession.
Triple-click Click the left mouse button three times in rapid succession.

1-4 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Chapter 2: Safety
This section presents the concepts necessary to successfully complete the working safely process.
Specifically, you need to understand:
Introductions
Safety standards
Magnetic fields
Gradient fields
Electromagnetic fields
Clinical hazards
Equipment hazards
Clinical screening
Patient emergencies
Additional scan and display cautions and warnings
System maintenance
Safety procedures
Safety Review
MR Compatibility
Service Schedules
China RoHs

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-1

Introduction
The MR Safety Guide contains information applicable to several MR system configurations. A topic heading,
a note, or other wording indicates information that is applicable to a specific system configuration.
This chapter focuses on the visible and invisible sources of hazard and concern in the magnetic resonance
(MR) imaging environment and emphasizes the need to work safely. To ensure safe operation of your
scanner, you must understand several components of your imaging system. This chapter provides brief
guidelines for working in a magnetic field, key concepts regarding the patient alert system, as well as
magnet, quench, radio frequency (RF), laser light, metal sliver, acoustic, peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS),
and equipment hazards. It contains the step-by-step instructions to help you learn how to:

Eliminate Magnet Hazards

Respond to Emergencies
Check the Cryogen Levels
Handle Contact with Liquid Cryogens

This chapter contains important safety information that you and the physician must understand
thoroughly before using the system.

2-2 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

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Safety Information
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system uses a magnet, which can have a field strength several
thousand times greater than that of the earth’s magnetic field. The magnetic field surrounding the magnet
may present a hazard to personnel and equipment within the immediate area. Therefore, the magnetic
field safety information described in this chapter is very important. You and your physician must
understand it thoroughly before you begin to use the system. You can find additional safety information
throughout your Operator Manual and Learning and Reference Guide CD-ROM. If you need additional
training, seek assistance from qualified General Electric (GE) Healthcare personnel.
Make sure your training guides are readily available at all times. Review the procedures and safety
precautions periodically. Through Magnetic Resonance (MR) safety education, careful planning, and diligent
upkeep of your MR facility, a safe environment can be provided for both patients and personnel.
For any hazardous incident or system malfunction related to the use of the GE Healthcare MR Scanner
please use the following contact methods:
If Serviced by GE Healthcare: Please contact your Field Service Engineer to report out on the incident.
If third party serviced: Please contact your third party Field Service Engineer and have them send a
manufacturers notice to:
Complaint Handling Unit Manager
GE Healthcare
3200 N Grandview Blvd WT-893
Waukesha, WI 53188
If the user is self servicing the GE Healthcare MR Scanner please provide the following information:

System type
System ID
Date of incident
Description of incident
Contact Information (facility, address, contact name, title, and telephone numbers)

Locate the contact number on your scanner or visit GE Healthcare on the web
http://www.gehealthcare.com/contact/contact_details.html and locate the appropriate telephone number
for your location. In the US please us: 1-800-437-1171.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-3

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User Training
GE Healthcare provides a purchasable training program in Milwaukee for new system operators. You may
arrange to participate through your local sales representative. In addition, GE Healthcare provides
purchasable on-site training by an MR Applications Specialist. GE Healthcare advises that anyone who
operates the system should attend this session after reading the Operator Manual, Learning and Reference
Guide, and related training materials.
GE Healthcare strongly recommends that physicians who prescribe studies and review images on the MR
system, attend at least two full days of professional meetings dealing with MR imaging each year. Such
meetings include the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the Society for Magnetic Resonance in
Medicine (SMRM) and the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS). In addition, MR system user groups
present symposia and workshops throughout the year that provide additional learning opportunities.
The healthcare facility is responsible for training outside emergency personnel (e.g., fire department and
other outside emergency personnel) not to bring any ferrous fire-fighting equipment, including axes, ferrous
stretchers, or oxygen tanks into the magnet room. Be sure to show such outside emergency personnel
where the Emergency Magnet Rundown switch is located.

2-4 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

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Product identification labels

Product identification labels (ratings) can be found on the tops and sides of the cabinets, the rear of
monitors, and other exterior surfaces on the equipment. Such product labels alert you to specific hazards
and the level of hazard importance. The labels may also contain messages that communicate the specific
hazard, the probable consequence of involvement with the hazard, and how the hazard can be avoided. In
the event you are unable to identify these labels, contact your service personnel.
One or more of the product identification labels in Table 2-1 may be on your system or peripheral
equipment. Please familiarize yourself with the labels that apply to your particular system.
Table 2-1: Warning symbols

Label Description (typical use)

Warning: Hand crushing

Warning: Hot surface

Warning: Magnetic field

Warning: Voltage (barriers, points of entry)

Warning: General sign

Warning: laser beam

Warning: non-Ionizing radiation

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-5

Table 2-2: Prohibited symbols

Label Description (typical use)

Prohibited: do not obstruct

Prohibited: no access for unauthorized persons

Prohibited: do not touch - hazardous voltage

Prohibited: no metallic articles

Prohibited: no metallic implants*

Prohibited: no pacemakers*

Prohibited: do not loop cable

*In general, patients with conductive (e.g. metallic) implants are contraindicated for MR scans. Some
implantable devices have been labeled as MR Conditional under certain operating conditions. MR Safe
implants will have the MR Safe symbol in their implant documentation.
When evaluating whether to proceed with MR scanning on patients with such implants, consult the
implantable device’s labeling.
Table 2-3: Mandatory symbols

Label Description (typical use)

Mandatory: instruction manual

Mandatory: maintenance instructions

Mandatory: refer to instructions

Mandatory: wear ear protection

2-6 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-4: Manufacturer information symbols

Label Description (typical use)

Manufacturer

Date of manufacture

Model reference

Serial number

Table 2-5: Patient comfort symbols

Label Description (typical use)

Patient comfort lighting

Patient comfort ventilation (fan)

Table 2-6: Environmental symbols

Label Description (typical use)

Atmospheric pressure limitation

Temperature limitation

Humidity limitation

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-7

Table 2-7: PAC1 symbols

Label Description (typical use)

Respiratory bellows port. Either label may be on your system.

ECG leads port. Either label may be on your system.

Peripheral gating port. Either label may be on your system.

Patient alert port. Either label may be on your system.

Table 2-8: MR safety symbols

Label Description (typical use)

MR safe
or

MR Conditional

MR unsafe

1Physiological Acquisition Control

2-8 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-9: Product identification symbols

Label Description (typical use)

Alternating current (rating plate, terminals)

Direct current (rating plate, terminals)

Three-phase alternating current

Earth (ground terminals)

Protective earth (ground terminals)

Equipotentiality (terminals)

Voltage (components, points of entry)

Main power on (main disconnect/power switch)

Main power off (main disconnect/power switch)

Power on (only for a part of equipment)

Power off (only for a part of equipment)

Emergency stop

Fast stop

Class II equipment (double insulated) (ratings)

Type B Applied Part (ratings, AP connections)

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-9

Label Description (typical use)

Type BF Applied Part

Non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (ratings)

Attention – Consult accompanying documents

CAUTION – Static Sensitive (Electrostatic discharge (ESD) susceptible parts)

Laser Radiation (laser devices)

Table mass in Kg. without the patient

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Indications for use

The indications for use for each specific system type can be found in the your MR Operator Manual.

CAUTION
These devices are limited by federal law to investigational use for indications not in the “Indications
for Use” statement for a specific system type. Under federal law, these devices should only be used
for the functions set forth in the “Indications for Use” statements.

WARNING
Read the full prescribing information on the contrast media label before use of contrast media. Use
contrast media only in accordance with Indications and Usage as described in full prescribing
information.

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Restrictions on use

CAUTION
Federal law restricts the sale, distribution, and use of this device to or on the order of a physician.

CAUTION
Do not load non-system software onto the system computer.

WARNING
The MR system is not designed to provide information for clinical stereotactic use. The spatial
accuracy obtainable with your MR system may not be adequate for stereotactic procedures and can
vary depending on the patient, the pulse sequence used, and the system itself. It is therefore
recommend that MR images not be used for stereotactic applications.

WARNING
Electrically conductive stereotactic devices may lead to high localized SAR. Excessive transmit
power may result from interactions between the structure and the transmit coil. In addition,
improper padding between the patient and any conductor may lead to excessive localized heating.

Clinical stereotactic use refers to being used in localization for surgical procedures.

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Instructions for use

The 2nd amendment to IEC 60601-2-33 assumes that because no chronic effects from exposure to MR
fields are known, worker safety limits are the same as for patients. However, it is prudent to minimize
worker exposures.
Workers must prevent ferromagnetic materials from entering the magnet room. Ferrous projectile hazards
are a major safety concern. Note that some materials that are initially non-magnetic may become
magnetic when subjected to a static magnetic field over a period of time. Motion in static magnetic fields
(especially near large spatial field gradients) may induce metallic tastes, vertigo, nausea, and possibly
flashes of light (magneto-phosphenes). These motion effects are considered to be non-hazardous, provided
they do not cause the worker to fall.
Time-varying gradient magnetic fields may induce peripheral nerve stimulation if the worker intercepts
sufficient time-varying flux. Peripheral nerve stimulation is non-hazardous unless it causes the worker to
injure himself when startled by the effect. Field plots of the maximum time-varying gradient |B| workers
could experience outside the magnet bore is shown in the figure below.

Figure 2-1: Maximum Magnitude Gradient Magnetic Field from three Simultaneous Axes at the Patient Bore Radius (worker exposure is
limited to these levels as a function of z).

Table 2-10: Image legend

# Description
1 Isocenter
2 Magnet from isocenter to front

Radio frequency fields at sufficiently high levels may cause heating. Outside the magnet bore the radio
frequency fields rapidly decay. Let B1 be the magnetic field strength of the radio frequency magnetic field.
A plot of the square B1 normalized to its value at isocenter is shown in figure below. At most B1 at
isocenter may produce the whole-body Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limit. If as much of the body were
exposed outside the bore then the graph below shows the scale factor for each Z location. This is a very
conservative estimate of SAR since the total flux into the body is likely to be much smaller.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-13

Figure 2-2: Plot of the Square of B1 Normalized to Isocenter for the Body Birdcage Coil on Axis.

Table 2-11: Image legend

# Description
1 Square of B1 normalized to isocenter.
2 Square of B1 normalized to isocenter for body birdcage coil on axis.

2-14 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

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Contraindications for use

Contraindications for use statement

In general, patients with conductive (e.g. metallic) implants are contraindicated for MR scans. Some
implantable devices have been labeled as MR Conditional under certain operating conditions. MR Safe
implants will have the MR Safe symbol in their implant documentation.
When evaluating whether to proceed with MR scanning on patients with such implants, consult the
implantable device’s labeling.

MR Safe: For patients with implants that are labeled as MR Safe, consult the implantable device’s
labeling.
MR Conditional: For patients with implants that are labeled as MR Conditional, consult the
implantable device’s labeling.
MR Unsafe: Patients with implantable devices that are MR Unsafe are contraindicated.

If the level of MR compatibility is not known, then an implantable device should be considered MR
Unsafe.

MR environment safety terminology

The MR Environment Safety Terminology is intended to help explain labeling matters for medical devices
and other items that may be used in the MR environment to ensure the safe use of MR technology.
Terminology for defining the safety of items in the MR environment is provided in ASTM F2503 Standard
Practice for Marking Medical Devices and Other Items for Safety in the Magnetic Resonance Environment.
FDA recommended using the terminology MR Safe, MR Conditional, and MR Unsafe, defined in ASTM F2503
(FDA guidance document, “Establishing Safety and Compatibility of Passive Implants in the Magnetic
Resonance (MR) Environment Document”).

Definitions
MR safe: An item that poses no known hazards in all MR imaging environments.
With this terminology, MR safe items are non-conducting, non-metallic, and non-magnetic items, such as a
plastic Petri dish. An item may be determined to be MR safe by providing a scientifically based rationale
rather than test data.
MR Conditional: An item that has been demonstrated to pose no known hazards in specified MR
environment with specified conditions of use. Field conditions that define the MR environment include static
magnetic field strength, spatial gradient, time rate of change of the magnetic field (dB/dt), RF fields, and
specific absorption rate (SAR).
Additional conditions, including specific configurations of the item (e.g., the routing of leads used for a
neurostimulation system), may be required.
MR Unsafe: An item that is known to pose hazards in all MR environments.
MR unsafe items include magnetic items such as a pair of ferromagnetic scissors.
ASTM standard F2503 also describes how MR Safe, MR Conditional and MR Unsafe device Icons are to be
used for MR labeling of implants and devices. For details see MR safety labels.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-15

CAUTION
Safe scanning of patients with MR Conditional devices or implants may be complex. Health care
professionals that scan patients with MR Conditional devices or implants should consult the implant
or device manufacturer for instructions with respect to safety guidelines.

WARNING
Scanners are not designed to regulate SAR and dB/dt for levels other than the IEC NORMAL MODE
(WB SAR <= 2 W/kg, head SAR <= 3.2 W/kg and dB/dt <= 80% of the mean nerve stimulation limit)
and IEC FIRST MODE (WB SAR <= 4 W/kg, head SAR <= 3.2 W/kg and dB/dt <= 100% of the mean
nerve stimulation limit. No other limits are enforced.

WARNING
The magnetic field of the MR system can cause a ferrous implant (e.g., surgical clip, cochlear
implant, intracranial aneurysm clip etc.) or prosthesis to move or be displaced, resulting in serious
injury. Patients and MR workers should be screened for implants and those individuals with implants
should, in general, not enter the scan room. For patients and MR workers with implants that are
labeled as “MR Safe” or “MR Conditional”, consult the implantable device’s labeling and the technical
information about the MR system.
Prostheses should be removed before scanning to help prevent injury.

WARNING
The tests commonly employed to determine MR Conditional implant heating safety (standard, ASTM
F2182, ASTM.org), require quadrature excitation. Heating results for non-quadrature excitation
(such as parallel transmit, dual drive, or elliptical drive) are unknown.
For patients with MR Conditional implants or devices, applying Preset or Optimized RF Drive Modes
may violate the MR Conditional specifications.
When scanning patients with MR Conditional implants, check with GEHC to ensure your system has
quadrature transmit.

2-16 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

MR safety standards
In most countries the MR safety standard IEC 60601-2-33 provides safety limits for MR exams, for
ventilation, and for occupational exposure of MR workers. The International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) developed a widely-used MR safety standard. The IEC MR safety standard is three-tiered. The NORMAL
OPERATING MODE is for routine scanning of patients. The operator must take a deliberate action (usually an
ACCEPT button) to enter the FIRST CONTROLLED OPERATING MODE. This mode provides higher scanner
performance, but requires monitoring of the patient. Finally, there is a SECOND CONTROLLED OPERATING
MODE used only for research purposes under limits controlled by an Investigational Review Board (IRB).
The scanner employs a whole body gradient system whose IEC 60601-2-33 compliance volume is:

a cylinder with axis coinciding with the magnet axis and with a radius of 0.20 meters, for cylindrical
magnets, or
a volume bound by planes parallel to the magnet poles and separated by a distance of 0.40 meters,
for vertical-field magnets.
Table 2-12: IEC safety limits

Local
Whole Local Short dB/dt (%
Operating Head SAR Partial body SAR extremity
body SAR head/trunk term SAR mean
mode (W/Kg) (W/Kg) SAR
(W/Kg) SAR (W/Kg) (W/Kg) PNS)
(W/Kg)

IEC Normal 3 x long

2 3.2 10 20 80% PNS
Mode term

IEC 1st
Controlled 3 x long
4 3.2 10 20 100% PNS
Operating term
Mode
IEC 2nd
Controlled
IRB Limit IRB Limit IRB Limit IRB Limit IRB Limit IRB Limit IRB Limit
Operating
Mode
Local SAR is averaged over the worst-case 10 g. Short term SAR is averaged over 10 s. SAR limits are
reduced if temperature can exceeds 24 degrees C or if humidity exceeds 60%. Hearing protection (only
earplugs have been validated) with NRR >/= 29 dB to reduce the A-weighted root-mean-squared sound
pressure level below 99 dB(A) shall be used. IEC 60601-1 limits surface contact temperatures to 41 degrees
C.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-17

SA FE T Y ST A ND A R D S

IEC EMC compliance

Per IEC 60601-1-2 Edition 2.1 Medical Electrical Equipment needs special precautions regarding Electro
Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) and needs to be installed and put into service according to the EMC
information provided in the following tables. The tables below provide details about the level of compliance
and provide information about potential interactions between devices.
Portable and mobile RF communications equipment can affect Medical Electrical Equipment.

WARNING
The MR System may be interfered with by other equipment, even if that other equipment complies
with CISPR EMISSION requirements.

WARNING
The MR System should not be used adjacent to or stacked with other equipment; if adjacent or
stacked use is necessary, the MR System should be observed in order to verify normal operation in
the configuration in which it will be used.

WARNING
The MR System should be used only in a shielded location named as the Magnet Room. Magnetic
and RF Shielded Room requirements defined in Pre-Installation Manual.

WARNING
The use of accessories, transducers and cables other than those specified, with the exception of
transducers and cables sold by GE Healthcare or replacement parts for internal components, may
result in increased emissions or decreased immunity of the MR system.
Adhering to the recommendations provided herein for the interaction of the MR System with other electrical
devices within the electromagnetic environment may not eliminate all the disturbances, however, the
system will maintain its essential performance by continuing to acquire, display, and store quality diagnostic
quality images safely.

2-18 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-13: Guidance And Manufacturer’s Declaration – Electromagnetic Emissions

The MR System is intended for use in a typical health care electromagnetic environment specified
below. The customer or the user of the MR System should assure that it is used in such an
environment.
Emissions Test Compliance Level Electromagnetic Environment - Guidance
The MR system must emit electromagnetic energy in order to
RF emissions CISPR
Group 2 perform its intended function. Nearby electronic equipment
11
may be affected.
RF emissions CISPR
Class A
11
Harmonic emissions The MR system is suitable for use in all establishments other
Not Applicable
IEC 61000-3-2 than domestic and those directly connected to the public low-
Voltage voltage power supply network that supplies buildings used for
fluctuations/flicker domestic purposes.
Not Applicable
emissions IEC
61000-3-3

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-19

Table 2-14: Guidance And Manufacturer’s Declaration – Electromagnetic Immunity

The MR System is intended for use in a typical health care electromagnetic environment specified
below. The customer or the user of the MR System should assure that it is used in such an
environment.
IEC 60601 test
Immunity test Compliance Level Electromagnetic environment – guidance
level
Floors should be wood, concrete or
Electrostatic ±6 kV contact ±6 kV contact ceramic tile. If floors are covered with
discharge (ESD)
±8 kV air ±8 kV air synthetic material, the relative humidity
IEC 61000-4-2
should be at least 30%.
±2 kV for power ±2 kV for power
Electrical fast supply lines supply lines ±1 kV for Mains power quality should be that of a
transient/burst input/output lines typical commercial or hospital
IEC 61000-4-4 ±1 kV for environment.
input/output lines
±1 kV line(s) to
±1 kV differential Mains power quality should be that of a
Surge IEC 61000- line(s) mode typical commercial or hospital
4-5 ±2 kV line(s) to
±2 kV common mode environment.
earth
<5% UT (>95% dip Mains power quality should be that of a
Voltage dips, in UT) for 0,5 cycle typical commercial or hospital
short 40% UT (60% dip
Not applicable environment. If the user of the MR System
interruptions and in UT) for 5 cycles requires continued operation during
voltage variations 70% UT (30% dip power mains interruptions, it is
on power supply in UT) for 25 cycles recommended that the MR System be
input lines IEC
<5% UT (>95% dip <5% UT (>95% dip in powered from an uninterruptible power
61000-4-11
in UT) for 5 sec. UT) for 5 sec. supply or a battery.
Power frequency Power frequency magnetic fields should
(50/60 Hz) be at levels characteristic of a typical
3 A/m 3 A/m
magnetic field IEC location in a typical commercial or hospital
61000-4-8 environment.
NOTE UT is the a.c. mains voltage prior to application of the test level.

2-20 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-15: Guidance And Manufacturer’s Declaration – Electromagnetic Immunity

The MR System is intended for use in a typical health care electromagnetic environment specified
below. The customer or the user of the MR System should assure that it is used in such an
environment.
IEC 60601 test Electromagnetic environment –
Immunity test Compliance Level
level guidance
Portable and mobile RF communications
equipment should be used no closer to
any part of the MR System, including
cables, than the recommended
separation distance calculated from the
equation applicable to the frequency of
the transmitter. Recommended
Conducted RF IEC 3 Vrms 150 kHz to
3 Vrms separation distance.
61000-4-6 80 MHz

where P is the maximum output power

rating of the transmitter in watts (W)
according to the transmitter
manufacturer and d is the recommended
separation distance in meters (m).
Field strengths from fixed RF
transmitters, as determined by an
Radiated RF IEC 3 V/m 80 MHz to
3 V/m electromagnetic site surveya should be
61000-4-3 2,5 GHz
less than the compliance level in each
frequency rangeb. Interference may
occur in the vicinity of equipment marked
with the following symbol:

NOTE 1 At 80 MHz and 800 MHz, the higher frequency range applies.
NOTE 2 These guidelines may not apply in all situations. Electromagnetic propagation is affected by
absorption and reflection from structures, objects and people.
a: Field strengths from fixed transmitters, such as base stations for radio (cellular/cordless) telephones
and land mobile radios, amateur radio, AM and FM radio broadcast and TV broadcast cannot be predicted
theoretically with accuracy. To assess the electromagnetic environment due to fixed RF transmitters, an
electromagnetic site survey should be considered. If the measured field strength in the location in which
the MR System issued exceeds the applicable RF compliance level above, the MR System should be
observed to verify normal operation. If abnormal performance is observed, additional measures may be
necessary, such as reorienting or relocating the MR System.
b: Over the frequency range 150 kHz to 80 MHz, field strengths should be less than 3 V/m.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-21

Table 2-16: Recommended Separation Distances between portable and mobile RF communications equipment and the MR system

The MR System is intended for use in an electromagnetic environment in which radiated RF

disturbances are controlled. The customer or the user of the MR System can help prevent
electromagnetic interference by maintaining a minimum distance between portable and mobile RF
communications equipment (transmitters) and the MR System as recommended below, according to
the maximum output power of the communications equipment.
Rated maximum output
Separation distance according to frequency of transmitter stated in meters
power of transmitter W
150 kHz to 80 MHz 80 MHz to 800 MHz 800 MHz to 2.5GHz

0.01 0.12 0.12 0.23

0.1 0.37 0.37 0.74
1 1.17 1.17 2.33
10 3.69 3.69 7.38
100 11.67 11.67 23.33
For transmitters rated at a maximum output power not listed above, the recommended separation
distance d in meters (m) can be estimated using the equation applicable to the frequency of the
transmitter, where P is the maximum output power rating of the transmitter in watts (W) according to the
transmitter manufacturer.
NOTE 1 At 80 MHz and 800 MHz, the separation distance for the higher frequency range applies.
NOTE 2 These guidelines may not apply in all situations. Electromagnetic propagation is affected by
absorption and reflection from structures, objects and people.

2-22 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

SA FE T Y ST A ND A R D S

Temperature and humidity specifications

System Suite
Use the specifications listed in the tables in Spatial magnetic field data for designing your HVAC (heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning) system. Proper insulation and moisture barrier should be installed within
the environmental controlled space (e.g. area above drop ceiling) for humidity, condensation, and
temperature control.

To help prevent a patient from feeling uncomfortably warm during a scan, make sure the magnet
room temperature does not exceed 69.8.F (21.C) maximum. For Discovery MR750 3.0T systems, if the scan
room temperature exceeds 75.2°F (24°C), then the SAR is automatically derated, which means that the
current scan parameters may trip the SAR monitor.
Table 2-17: Temperature and humidity specifications

Temperature Humidity
Change
Area
Range °F (°C) °F/Hr Range% Change%/Hr
(°C/Hr)
59-89.6* (15-
Equipment Room at Inlet to Equipment 5 (3)** 30-75* 5
32)*
Temperature in equipment room only for 59-82.4 (15-
5 (3) 30-75* 5
Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 28)*
59-69.8 (15-
Magnet Room 5 (3) 30-60* 5
21)
59-89.6* (15-
Operator's Control Room 5 (3) 30-75* 5
32)*
Note
* Non-condensing humidity with 50% nominal at 65.F (18.3.C).
** Room temperature gradient specification applies from floor to height of top discharge of equipment
cabinets.

Table 2-18: Discovery MR750 3.0T Temperature And Humidity Specifications

Temperature Humidity
Area Change °F/Hr1 Change%
Range °F (°C) Range%
(°C/Hr) /Hr2
Equipment Room at Inlet
59-89.6 (15-32) 5 (3) 30-70 5
to Equipment
Magnet Room 59-69.8 (15-21) 5 (3) 30-60 5
Operator's Control Room 59-89.6 (15-32) 5 (3) 30-70 5
Note
1 Operating temperature gradient limits shall be between -5F (-3C) degrees C/hour and 5F (3C) degrees
C/hour when averaged over 1 hour.
2 Operating humidity gradient limits shall be between -5% RH/hour and 5% RH/hour, when averaged over
1 hour.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-23

MRCC Operating Environment

The MR Common Chiller (MRCC) operating environment specifications do not apply to Discovery MR750 3.0T
systems.
The MRCC is designed to be located external to the building and may be used or be transported in
environments meeting the following specifications.

Ambient Temperature: -22 °F (-30°C) to 110°F (43°C)

Humidity: 5-100%

2-24 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Magnetic field basics

Though it is generally accepted that no published evidence exists supporting cumulative or long-term
negative effects of EMF 1 exposure, it is advisable for pregnant MR workers to exercise extra precaution in
limiting their exposure as much as possible. The existence of local regulations establishing upper limits for
MR workers may not apply to pregnant MR workers, although no epidemiological evidence exists
supporting negative effects of EMF exposure on the health of a pregnant worker or her fetus. The User is
responsible for determining whether local or country legislation may exist establishing occupational limits
for exposure to EMF. If such limits exist it is the User’s responsibility to ensure they are being observed.
To ensure safe operation of your system, for both you and your patient, you must understand several
components of your MR system. Your MR system includes the following magnetic fields:

Static Magnetic Field (the magnet)

Gradient Magnetic Fields (the gradients)
Electromagnetic Fields (the RF)

The following definitions are used throughout Magnetic Field Basics section. Not all modes of operation
apply to all GEHC MR scanners.

Normal Operating Mode (Clinical Mode): mode of operation of the MR equipment in which none of
the outputs have a value that may cause physiological stress to patients.
First Level Controlled Operating Mode: mode of operation of the MR equipment in which one or
more outputs reach a value that may cause physiological stress to patients, which needs to be
controlled by medical supervision.
Second Level Controlled Operating Mode: mode of operation of the MR equipment in which one or
more outputs reach a value that may produce significant risk for patients, for which explicit ethical
approval is required (i.e., a human studies protocol approved to local requirements).

1Electro Magnetic Field

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-25

M AG NE T IC FIE LDS

Static magnetic fields

The main magnet is a stable and very intense magnetic field.

Note that the MR magnet is always on even when the system is not acquiring scan data. The only
exception to this is if service has ramped down the magnet or it has been quenched.
The main safety issues regarding the static magnetic field include the potential for biological effects, the
potential for attraction of ferromagnetic objects, and the potential for a quench of the cryogens.
The MR system static magnetic field may be classified under several modes:

Normal: the normal operating mode, admissible for all individuals.

First Level: controlled operating mode, admissible for patients on whom a medical decision was
made ensuring they can handle the increased static magnetic field.
Second Level: controlled operating mode, approval of an IRB or Human Ethical Committee required,
with the static field limit explicitly stated.
Table 2-19: Static magnetic field

Mode System
</= 2T for Normal Mode 0.7T /1.5T
> 2T </= 4T for First Level Mode 3.0T
> 4T for Second Level Mode N/A

A magnet produces invisible lines of force that extend beyond the magnet that are called the fringe field.
The size of the fringe field depends on the strength of the magnet and whether or not it is shielded. Active
and inactive shielding are used to reduce or tighten the fringe field.
Figure 2-3: Fringe field

CAUTION
For some patients or MR workers, rapid movement of the head while in the magnetic field may
cause dizziness, vertigo, or a metallic taste in their mouth. None of these motion effects are
considered to be hazardous, provided they do not cause the worker to fall.
It is recommended that the patient and the MR worker endeavor to remain still while in the region of
high static magnetic field. The MR worker should always vacate the area of the static magnetic field
when duties do not require otherwise.
The tesla to gauss conversion is 1 tesla = 10,000 Gauss.
The magnetic field exerts force on susceptible materials and biomedical implants and can create hazards.
There are two critical zones: the Security Zone and the Exclusion Zone. Each zone has specific restrictions
regarding people and materials.

2-26 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

WARNING
It is your responsibility to ensure permanent creation of the Security Zone and the Exclusion Zone
and to establish rules for access. Ensure occupational exposure to static magnetic field complies
with local requirements.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-27

M AG NE T IC FIE LDS

Security zone
The Security Zone is the magnet room and the walls of the magnet room.
Figure 2-4: Security Zone

Table 2-20: Image legend

# Description
1 Magnet room
2 Room length = 21 feet (6.4 m)
3 Room width = 13 feet (3.96 m)

Static magnetic field plots for siting (rule of thumb - assumes no ferromagnetic materials) may be found at:
http://www.gehealthcare.com/company/docs/siteplanning.html#mr

NOTE: The figure above states the approximate minimum room size for the 0.7T OpenSpeed, 1.5T EXCITE,
and 3.0T systems, including Signa and MR750 systems. Consult your GE System Pre-Installation Manual for
specific dimensions of your system and additional magnetic field plot information.

The 3.0T VH/i system approximate minimum room requirements are 17 feet x 28 feet. Consult your GE
System Pre-Installation Manual for specific dimensions of your system and additional magnetic field plot
information.

Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 systems approximate minimum room requirements are 18.7 feet x 10.9
feet (5.7m x 3.3m). Consult your GE System Pre-Installation Manual for specific dimensions of your system
and additional magnetic field plot information.

IMPORTANT!: You need to understand the meanings of ferromagnetic and ferrous substances or items:

A substance that is ferromagnetic has a large positive magnetic susceptibility. (Example: Iron.)
An item that is ferrous can posses intrinsic magnetic fields and react strongly in an applied magnetic
field. (Examples: Iron, nickel, and cobalt.)

The attractive force of the magnetic field in the Security Zone can cause ferromagnetic items to become
projectiles and contraindicated biomedical implants to fail. In short, ferromagnetic items and
contraindicated biomedical implants are NOT allowed in the Security Zone.

2-28 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

The MR System operates with a highly sensitive RF receiving front end to be able to capture the signal of an
object scanned. The Magnet Room part of the MR System installation provides the RF isolation to reduce the
interference from electrical devices outside the shielded location.

It is possible that any device that functions with active electronic circuitry may potentially interfere the
operation of the MR System if such device is introduced inside the Magnet Room even though the device
does not have an intentional RF Transmitter. Extreme EMC measures must be taken into account in the
design and manufacturing of an electrical device if such device is intended to operate inside the Magnet
Room.

A device that may potentially interfere the MR System if introduced inside the Magnet Room are those
containing active electronics. Some examples include: Switching Mode Power Supply (SMPS),
microprocessor, Digital Signal Processors, analog to digital converters, LCD displays, keypad controllers,
motors, battery operated devices.

WARNING
The Security Zone warning sign must be posted on the entrance to the magnet room to alert
personnel to the high magnetic field and warn not to bring ferromagnetic objects into the magnet
room.

WARNING
Ensure that the Security Zone complies with your local statutory requirements.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-29

Security Zone Warning sign

The Security Zone Warning Sign alerts personnel and patients of the following:

Strong magnetic field

Hearing protection: During a scan, all persons in the scan room are required to wear hearing
protection to avoid possible hearing impairment.
No pacemakers*
No neurostimulators*
No conductive/metallic implants*
Persons with pacemakers, neurostimulators or metallic implants must not enter this area.
Serious injury may result.
No loose metal objects: Iron, steel and other ferrous material must not be taken into this area.
Serious injury or property damage may result.
Risk of non-ionizing radiation: If a scan is performed with the magnet room open.

2-30 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Figure 2-5: Security zone warning sign

Your system may have a slight variation of this sign.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-31

3.0T Security Zone warning sign

3.0T EXCITE magnets have a specialized Security Zone warning sign to distinguish the 3.0T magnet from a
lower magnetic field.
The Security Zone Warning Sign for 3.0T EXCITE magnets alerts personnel and patients of the following:

Strong magnetic field

2-32 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Figure 2-6: Security zone warning sign for 3.0T magnets

Your system may have a slight variation of this sign.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-33

M AG NE T IC FIE LDS

Exclusion zone
The Exclusion Zone begins at the 5-gauss line. Magnetic shielding may, however, restrict the 5-gauss line to
the magnet room, making the security and the exclusion zone the same
Figure 2-7: Exclusion Zone, 1 = 5 gauss line

Static magnetic field plots for siting (rule of thumb - assumes no ferromagnetic materials) may be found at:
http://www.gehealthcare.com/company/docs/siteplanning.html#mr
All personnel should be aware of the gauss line and actively screen the changing conditions of the
environment. There are gauss lines and equipment that must remain outside certain limits. Consult your GE
Service Engineer to know where these gauss lines are located in your facility.

WARNING
The Exclusion Zone warning sign must be posted at the 5 gauss boundary. Locate and read the
Exclusion Zone signs at your facility.

Exclusion Zone Warning sign

The Exclusion Zone Warning Sign alerts personnel and patients of the following:

Strong magnetic field

No pacemakers*
No neurostimulators*
No conductive/metallic implants*
Persons with pacemakers, neurostimulators or metallic implants must not enter this area.
Serious injury may result.

2-34 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Figure 2-8: Exclusion zone warning sign

Your system may have a slight variation of this sign.

WARNING
Ensure that the Exclusion Zone complies with your local statutory requirements.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-35

M AG NE T IC FIE LDS

Biological effects
The static magnetic field strengths used by your MR system are within the guidelines provided by the United
States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical imaging. However, there are several cautions that
need to be understood:

CAUTION
Minimize the time spent near the magnet. Spend only the time necessary to attend to the needs of
the patient.

CAUTION
MR scanning has not been established as safe for imaging fetuses or infants. Carefully compare the
benefits of MR versus alternative procedures before scanning to control risk to the patient. A
physician needs to decide to scan pregnant or infant patients.

2-36 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

M AG NE T IC FIE LDS

Ferromagnetic objects
Ferromagnetic objects brought within close proximity of the static magnetic field can become projectiles,
which could cause harm to someone standing between the object and the magnet. The force of attraction
between a magnet and a ferromagnetic object is determined by the magnetic field strength (fringe field),
the magnetic susceptibility of the object, its mass, its distance from the magnet, and its orientation to the
field.
Use only non-ferrous oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, gurneys, intravenous (IV) poles, ventilators, etc. in the
magnet room. Be sure anyone who has access to the MR suite is aware that only non-ferrous items are
allowed in the magnet room. Make them aware that policies and procedures are in place for bringing
medical devices and other equipment into the magnet room.
In addition to the projectile hazard, the static magnetic field can cause ferromagnetic objects within the
patient (e.g., surgical clips, prostheses) to move, thus possibly causing harm. Electrically, magnetically, or
mechanically activated implants can become dysfunctional due to the static magnetic field. If these devices
are life-supporting, harm could result.For medical devices that are labeled as MR Safe or MR Conditional
consult the device manufacturer's documentation.

WARNING
The attractive force of the magnetic field of the MR system can cause ferrous objects to become
projectiles that can cause serious injury. Post the security zone warning sign on the entrance to the
magnet room and keep all hazardous objects out of the magnet room. If a ferromagnetic object has
become attached to the magnet, contact GE Service for assistance.

WARNING
To help prevent patient or operator injury, do not bring ferrous materials such as battery operated
devices into the magnet room.

WARNING
To help prevent patient or operator injury, do not bring ferrous oxygen bottles into the magnet
room.

CAUTION
Common hospital equipment, which often have ferrous battery packs, such as patient monitoring,
and life supporting devices, may be adversely affected when in proximity to the magnetic field or
image quality may be affected by the presence of this equipment.

CAUTION
The only GE supplied tools recommended for use inside the Security zone are the phantoms
supplied with your system.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-37

WARNING
Electrical discharges between conductive devices and the MR coils can startle or burn the patient
and possibly cause the patient to injure himself/herself. To help avoid such reactions, do not place
metal objects (e.g., limb braces, traction mechanisms, stereotactic devices, etc.) in the MR magnet.

WARNING
The fringe field can cause injury by interfering with the normal operation of biomedical devices.

2-38 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

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Spatial magnetic field data

MR environment safety terminology
The MR Environment Safety Terminology is intended to help explain labeling matters for medical devices
and other items that may be used in the MR environment to ensure the safe use of MR technology.
Terminology for defining the safety of items in the MR environment is provided in ASTM F2503 Standard
Practice for Marking Medical Devices and Other Items for Safety in the Magnetic Resonance Environment.
FDA recommended using the terminology MR Safe, MR Conditional, and MR Unsafe, defined in ASTM F2503
(FDA guidance document, “Establishing Safety and Compatibility of Passive Implants in the Magnetic
Resonance (MR) Environment Document”).

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-39

For patients with MR Conditional implants or devices, applying Preset or Optimized RF Drive Modes
may violate the MR Conditional specifications.

Magnet information
This information is provided to comply with IEC 60601-2-33 clause 6.8.3 bb.
The peak main magnetic field (B 0), peak gradient of the main magnetic field (grad(B 0)), and the peak force
product (main magnetic field times the peak gradient of the main magnet field [B 0 grad(B 0)]) and their
spatial locations are provided in cylindrical coordinates centers at magnet isocenter.

Note that peak accessible values typically occur (see figure below) at or near the magnet covers
(shroud) in a patient accessible area. To find the magnet type used with your system, contact your GE field
service engineer.

Definitions
Peak main magnetic field (B 0), maximum magnetic field magnitude at patient accessible locations.

For solenoid magnets these values typically lie on circles with radius R from the axis of the magnet
on both the front and the back of the magnet at ±Z from isocenter.

Peak gradient of the main magnetic field (grad(B 0)).

The peak gradient of the static magnetic field, B 0, is the maximum rate of change of the main
magnetic field magnitude along any direction at a patient accessible location. For solenoid magnets
these values typically lie on circles with (see table and figure below) radius R from the axis of the
magnet on both the front and the back covers of the magnet at ± Z from isocenter.

Note that the strength of time-varying gradients are small and not relevant to magnetic force
considerations.

Peak force product (B 0 grad(B 0)).

The peak force product is the maximum product of B 0 and grad(B 0) at accessible locations. Note that
maximum forces and torques will occur at this location. Only values in a patient accessible area with
magnet covers in place are given in the table below. For solenoid magnets (see figure below) these
values typically lie on circles with radius R from the axis of the magnet on both the front and the back
of the magnet at ± Z from isocenter.

Locations

Defined in cylindrical coordinates, (Z, R) with (Z=0, R=0) being magnet isocenter apply to both the
front and back of the magnet (see table and figure below). For solenoid magnets the same maximum
values occur at R, ± Z for all angles, i.e., the same peak values form a circle with radius R at ±Z.

Translational Force

Force acting to move the center of mass of an object. Ferromagnetic objects in non-uniform
magnetic fields experience translational forces.

Torque

A pair of opposite forces some distance apart acting to rotate an object without changing the
position of the center of mass. Asymmetrically-shaped ferromagnetic objects (such as needle-
shaped objects) experience torques in magnetic fields.

2-40 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Figure 2-9: Magnet location of fringe-field maximum. Spatial locations of peak fields accessible to patients. The origin of the cylindrical
coordinates is magnet isocenter. Cylindrical coordinates locate points a radius R from the magnet axis (centerline) and a distance z
from isocenter on axis.

Table 2-21: Image legend

# Description
1 Side cut-away view of magnet.
2 Front view of magnet.
3 Cylindrical magnet and cover (shroud).
Peak B
Peak grad (B)
Peak B* grad (B)
4 Typically, peak B, peak grad (B), and peak B*grad(B) are close to the magnet covers in a patient
accessible area and are symmetric for rotations about the long axis of the magnet (equal fields for
(Z,R) along a circle centered on axis). The peak values are in the shaded regions. Specific locations
(R.Z) are identified in table below.
5 Patient bore.

Spatial Magnetic Field

Maximum forces and torques on ferromagnetic objects depend on the force product.

Forces and Torques

Spheres of uniform ferromagnetic material experience translational forces near magnets, but no torque.
For example, the magnetic force on a soft iron sphere is its weight multiplied by 31.2 times B 0(grad(B 0)).

Asymmetric ferromagnetic objects (for example long cylinders) may experience both translational
forces and torques. For such objects the translational force can be orders of magnitude lower than
those related to torque.
Magnetic translational force depends on the force product (B0 grad(B0)) with the maximum force
occurring for the maximum force product.
Torques increase with (B )2 and depend on angle from B and shape.
0 0
MR compatibility investigators have reported the maximum static magnetic fringe field gradient in
the past as a safety criterion. For each maximum the maximum values, the spatial locations

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-41

(cylindrical coordinates (Z,R)), and the values of the other (typically non-maximum) parameters are
given below for GE magnets.

The table below contains coordinates for and values of maximum B 0, maximum grad(B 0), and maximum
B 0(grad(B 0)). MR compatibility investigators have reported the maximum static magnetic fringe field
gradient in the past as a criterion for MR compatibility though the force product actually determines
translational force on ferromagnetic objects. The maximum field values (shown with red borders), the
spatial locations (in cylindrical coordinates (z,R)), and the values of the other (typically non-maximum)
parameters are given below for GE magnets

Useful unit conversions

1 T/m = 100 G/cm

1 G/cm = 0.01 T/m
1 T2/m = 106 G 2/cm
1 G 2/cm = 10-6 T2/m

Peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas table

See figure above for explanation of R and Z. If you are not sure of your system configuration, consult your
service engineer.

GEM enclosure
Figure 2-10: GEM magnet cover

Table 2-22: GEM enclosure peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas

Patient Radial Location max(B)*

Field Grad(B)
bore Parameter Location along B(T) grad(B)
Name (T/m)
type R(m) Z(m) (T2/m)
Peak B 0.35 0.64 3.9 7.2 28.2
3.0T 70
Peak Gradient 0.51 0.92 1.8 12.4 22.6
3TLC XRMW
Peak Product 0.36 0.73 3.6 10.7 38.7
Peak B 0.36 0.62 2.1 6.1 12.8
1.5T 70
Peak Gradient 0.51 0.78 1.5 12.4 18.8
DVw XRMW
Peak Product 0.51 0.78 1.5 12.4 18.9

2-42 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

DV enclosure
Figure 2-11: DV magnet cover

Table 2-23: DV enclosure peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas

Patient Radial Location max(B)*

Field Grad(B)
bore Parameter Location along B(T) grad(B)
Name (T/m)
type R(m) Z(m) (T2/m)
Peak B 0.31 0.63 3.6 4.7 16.9
3.0T 60
Peak Gradient 0.43 0.89 2.3 13.1 30.2
G3 XRMB
Peak Product 0.40 0.86 2.6 12.1 31.9
Peak B 0.31 0.60 1.9 2.8 5.2
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.37 0.84 1.2 5.8 7.1
LCC XRMB
Peak Product 0.32 0.76 1.5 5.2 8.1
Peak B 0.36 0.62 2.1 6.0 12.7
1.5T 70
Peak Gradient 0.56 0.78 1.4 11.9 16.7
DVw XRMW
Peak Product 0.53 0.78 1.5 11.5 17.1

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-43

HDx enclosure
Figure 2-12: HDx magnet cover

Table 2-24: HDx enclosure peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas

Patient Radial Location max(B)*

Field Grad(B)
bore Parameter Location along B(T) grad(B)
Name (T/m)
type R(m) Z(m) (T2/m)
Peak B 0.31 0.61 3.6 3.6 12.8
3.0T 60
Peak Gradient 0.50 0.91 2.1 14.9 30.7
G3 TRM
Peak Product 0.35 0.77 3.3 11.9 39.3
Peak B 0.32 0.63 1.9 3.4 6.5
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.39 0.81 1.4 7.4 10.5
LCC BRM
Peak Product 0.37 0.77 1.6 6.9 11.3
Peak B 0.31 0.61 1.9 2.9 5.4
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.38 0.83 1.3 6.5 8.3
LCC TRM
Peak Product 0.34 0.76 1.6 5.9 9.5

Vibrant enclosure
Figure 2-13: Vibrant magnet cover

Table 2-25: Vibrant enclosure peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas

Patient Radial Location max(B)*

Field Grad(B)
bore Parameter Location along B(T) grad(B)
Name (T/m)
type R(m) Z(m) (T2/m)
Peak B 0.32 0.63 1.9 3.4 6.5
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.39 0.81 1.4 7.4 10.5
LCC TRM
Peak Product 0.37 0.77 1.6 6.9 11.3

2-44 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

OpenSpeed enclosure
Figure 2-14: OpenSpeed magnet cover

Table 2-26: OpenSpeed enclosure peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas

Patient Radial Location max(B)*

Field Grad(B)
bore Parameter Location along B(T) grad(B)
Name (T/m)
type R(m) Z(m) (T2/m)
Peak B 0.58 0.23 1.5 16.3 22.7
0.7T Flat Peak Gradient 0.59 0.23 1.5 25.2 34.6
HFO Peak Product 0.59 0.23 1.5 25.2 34.6

Wide open enclosure

Figure 2-15: Wide open magnet cover

Table 2-27: Wide open enclosure peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas

Patient Radial Location max(B)*

Field Grad(B)
bore Parameter Location along B(T) grad(B)
Name (T/m)
type R(m) Z(m) (T2/m)
Peak B 0.32 0.63 3.6 4.7 17.0
3.0T 60
Peak Gradient 0.48 0.91 2.2 14.5 31.1
G3 TRM
Peak Product 0.38 0.83 2.9 12.4 36.0
Peak B 0.32 0.62 1.9 3.6 6.9
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.40 0.80 1.5 7.9 11.8
LCC BRM
Peak Product 0.39 0.78 1.6 7.7 12.5
Peak B 0.31 0.62 1.9 3.3 6.2
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.37 0.81 1.4 6.3 8.6
LCC TRM
Peak Product 0.34 0.76 1.6 6.0 9.4

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-45

Horizon wide enclosure

Figure 2-16: Horizon wide open magnet cover

Table 2-28: Horizon wide open enclosure peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas

Patient Radial Location max(B)*

Field Grad(B)
bore Parameter Location along B(T) grad(B)
Name (T/m)
type R(m) Z(m) (T2/m)
Peak B 0.31 0.71 3.4 1.9 6.5
3.0T 55
Peak Gradient 0.42 1.07 2.4 9.1 21.9
3T94 CRM
Peak Product 0.41 1.03 2.7 8.3 22.7
Peak B 0.31 0.67 1.7 1.3 2.3
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.43 1.09 0.9 6.1 5.4
magni-shield BRM
Peak Product 0.38 0.86 1.6 3.8 5.9
Peak B 0.32 0.71 1.7 1.8 3.1
1.5T 55
Peak Gradient 0.43 1.08 0.9 4.9 4.4
magni-shield CRM
Peak Product 0.38 0.86 1.6 3.8 5.9

Horizon enclosure
Figure 2-17: Horizon magnet cover

2-46 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-29: Horizon enclosure peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas

Patient Radial Location

Field Grad(B) max(B)*grad(B)
bore Parameter Location along B(T)
Name (T/m) (T2/m)
type R(m) Z(m)
Peak B 0.31 0.61 1.9 3.0 5.6
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.44 0.86 1.1 6.6 6.9
LCC BRM
Peak Product 0.31 0.73 1.6 4.6 7.5
Peak B 0.31 0.61 1.9 3.0 5.5
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.42 0.87 1.1 6.2 6.5
CX BRM
Peak Product 0.31 0.75 1.6 4.9 7.6
Peak B 0.29 0.62 1.8 2.7 4.9
1.5T 55
Peak Gradient 0.44 0.86 1.1 6.6 7.0
LCC CRM
Peak Product 0.36 0.80 1.4 6.1 8.5
Peak B 0.29 0.62 1.8 2.6 4.7
1.5T 55
Peak Gradient 0.42 0.86 1.1 6.5 7.3
CX CRM
Peak Product 0.36 0.80 1.4 6.2 8.8
Peak B 0.31 0.62 1.8 1.9 3.4
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.39 0.89 1.3 5.1 6.3
S5 BRM
Peak Product 0.36 0.82 1.5 4.7 7.0
Peak B 0.31 0.64 1.8 1.8 3.2
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.44 1.10 0.6 7.1 4.0
S4 BRM
Peak Product 0.37 0.85 1.5 5.0 7.4
Peak B 0.31 0.67 1.7 1.4 2.5
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.44 1.11 0.8 7.4 5.7
S3 BRM
Peak Product 0.37 0.86 1.6 3.8 6.1
Peak B 0.31 0.67 1.7 1.4 2.5
1.5T 60
Peak Gradient 0.39 0.90 1.5 4.1 6.1
S2 BRM
Peak Product 0.38 0.87 1.6 4.0 6.3
Peak B 0.30 0.63 1.8 1.9 3.3
1.5T 55
Peak Gradient 0.39 0.88 1.3 5.1 6.6
S5 CRM
Peak Product 0.36 0.82 1.5 4.7 7.0
Peak B 0.30 0.65 1.8 1.9 3.3
1.5T 55
Peak Gradient 0.44 1.10 0.6 7.1 4.2
S4 CRM
Peak Product 0.38 0.85 1.5 5.0 7.4
Peak B 0.32 0.72 1.8 2.0 3.4
1.5T 55
Peak Gradient 0.44 1.10 0.8 7.6 6.3
S3 CRM
Peak Product 0.44 1.10 0.8 7.6 6.3
Peak B 0.32 0.72 1.8 1.9 3.3
1.5T 55
Peak Gradient 0.40 0.90 1.5 4.2 6.1
S2 CRM
Peak Product 0.38 0.87 1.6 4.2 6.5

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-47

OrthOne and MSK Extreme 1.0T system

Table 2-30: OrthOne and MSK Extreme 1.0T peak static spatial gradients on patient accessible areas

Patient Radial Location max(B)*

Field Grad(B)
bore Parameter Location along B(T) grad(B)
Name (T/m)
type R(m) Z(m) (T2/m)
OrthOne and Peak B 0.13 0.22 1.4 26.6 37.5
MSK Extreme 1.0T 18 cm Peak Gradient 0.15 0.24 1.1 100.2 113.3
w/18cm RF coil Peak Product
RF coil
0.15 0.24 1.3 94.5 121.9

Magnetic Field Plots

Static magnetic field plots for siting (rule of thumb - assumes no ferromagnetic materials) may be found at:
http://www.gehealthcare.com/company/docs/siteplanning.html#mr

HFO Static Spatial Gradients In Patient Gap with Various Radii

Figure 2-18: HFO Peak Gradient Fields in patient gap

Coordinate system for field and gradient where Z is in the B0 direction, R is the radius, and the origin is
isocenter.

2-48 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-31: Peak gradient field in the patient gap. Note that gradients are symmetrical about negative and positive values of Z, so
negative Z values are not explicitly shown.

Peak gradient location Peak gradient location

Gradient (T/m) Gradient (G/cm)
Z (m) Radius (m) Z (cm) Radius (cm)
0.000 0.690 2.95 0.0 69.00 295.0
0.050 0.693 3.32 5.0 69.25 331.7
0.100 0.718 4.25 10.0 71.75 424.9
0.150 0.723 6.22 15.0 72.25 621.8
0.200 0.738 11.21 20.0 73.75 1121.2
0.225 0.740 17.91 22.5 74.00 1791.4

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-49

M AG NE T IC FIE LDS

Static spatial gradients on concentric cylinders

The static magnetic field might cause forces or torques on some devices near the magnet. The following
table shows the maximum magnetic field (B0), the spatial rate of change of the magnetic field (grad(B0)),
and the product of the magnetic fields and its rate of change (B0*grad(B0)) for infinitely long cylinders
concentric with the patient bore. This information may be of use in evaluating risk assuming patients are
confined to the cylinder bounds. Note that higher values of these parameters exist on the magnet bore
covers (see above).
For example, find the peak static gradient field in the 70 cm bore for a MR450w (DVw) GEM system.

First find that the maximum peak gradient on the magnet covers (from the above table) is 12.4
Tesla/m (1240 gauss/cm). This peak occurs at a radius of 0.510 m of axis and a z location 0.783 m
from isocenter (typically on the magnet covers. Some risk managers consider this information
adequate for determining risk from static spatial gradients.
Some risk managers may limit the patient to regions contained by cylinders concentric with the
patient bore. They may use the table below to find that the maximum spatial gradient in the bore is
6.7 Tesla/m (which may be written as 670 Gauss/cm). The peak spatial gradient in the patient bore is
located on the 70 cm cylinder surface at z = 0.68 m from isocenter. The user then evaluates the risk
from the device manufacturer’s MR Conditional Labeling, from the characteristics of the scanner,
and from other information such as patient history. In this case the static gradient is about half the
maximum value on the magnet cover.
Figure 2-19: Static spatial gradients at various radii

Table 2-32: Image legend

# Description
1 Concentric cylinders
2 Magnet

2-50 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-33: Concentric cylinder data table 1

Field on 20 cm Diameter on 30cm Diameter on 40cm Diameter

On patient Z axis
magnet Item Cylinder surface Cylinder surface Cylinder surface
Peak R,Z (m,) Peak R,Z (m,m) Peak R,Z (m,m) Peak R,Z (m,m)
(0.100,
Bo (T) 3.0 (0.000,0.250) 3.0 3.0 (0.150,0.460) 3.0 (0.200,0.530)
0.358)
3.0T Gradient
5.1 (0.000,0.880) 5.3 (0.100,0.880) 5.6 (0.150,0.880) 6.2 (0.200,0.845)
3TLC (T/m)
BxG (0.100,
10.6 (0.000,0.790) 11.3 12.3 (0.150,0.765) 14.0 (0.200,0.785)
(T2/m) 0.785)
(0.100,
Bo (T) 3.0 (0.000,0.225) 3.0 3.0 (0.150,0.450) 3.0 (0.200,0.535)
0.325)
Gradient (0.100,
3.0T 5.0 (0.000,0.900) 5.2 5.5 (0.150,0.880) 6.0 (0.200,0.880)
(T/m) 0.885)
G3
BxG
12.2 (0.000,0.810) 11.4 (0.100,0.789) 12.2 (0.150,0.800) 14.0 (0.200,0.805)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 3.0 (0.000,0.275) 3.0 (0.100,0.390) 3.0 (0.150,0.460) 3.0 (0.200,0.545)
Gradient
4.3 (0.000,1.090) 4.4 (0.100,1.088) 4.6 (0.150,1.080) 4.8 (0.200,1.098)
3.0T (T/m)
3T94 BxG
8.7 (0.000,0.970) 9.0 (0.100,0.963) 9.4 (0.150,0.985) 10.1 (0.200,0.975)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.270) 1.5 (0.100,0.366) 1.5 (0.150,0.460) 1.5 (0.200,0.520)

1.5T Gradient
2.6 (0.000,0.840) 2.8 (0.100,0.820) 3.0 (0.150,0.815) 3.3 (0.200,0.780)
(T/m)
DVw
BxG
2.9 (0.000,0.730) 3.1 (0.100,0.756) 3.3 (0.150,0.745) 3.9 (0.200,0.745)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.230) 1.5 (0.100,0.374) 1.5 (0.150,0.465) 1.5 (0.200,0.525)
Gradient
2.7 (0.000,0.840) 2.8 (0.100,0.836) 3.0 (0.150,0.810) 3.3 (0.200,0.805)
1.5T (T/m)
LCC BxG
2.8 (0.000,0.770) 3.0 (0.100,0.763) 3.3 (0.150,0.775) 3.8 (0.200,0.745)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.230) 1.5 (0.100,0.367) 1.5 (0.150,0.460) 1.5 (0.200,0.530)

1.5T Gradient
2.7 (0.000,0.85) 2.8 (0.100,0.837) 3.0 (0.150,0.825) 3.2 (0.200,0.815)
(T/m)
Cx
BxG
2.8 (0.000,0.600) 3.0 (0.100,0.746) 3.3 (0.150,0.750) 3.8 (0.200,0.745)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.320) 1.5 (0.100,0.384) 1.5 (0.150,0.460) 1.5 (0.200,0.530)

1.5T Gradient
2.5 (0.000,0.900) 2.6 (0.100,0.919) 2.7 (0.150,0.870) 2.9 (0.200,0.895)
(T/m)
S5
BxG
2.6 (0.000,0.820) 2.7 (0.100,0.791) 2.9 (0.150,0.810) 3.3 (0.200,0.800)
(T2/m)

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-51

Field on 20 cm Diameter on 30cm Diameter on 40cm Diameter

On patient Z axis
magnet Item Cylinder surface Cylinder surface Cylinder surface
Peak R,Z (m,) Peak R,Z (m,m) Peak R,Z (m,m) Peak R,Z (m,m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.210) 1.5 (0.100,0.364) 1.5 (0.150,0.465) 1.5 (0.200,0.540)

1.5T Gradient
2.5 (0.000,0.920) 2.6 (0.100,0.924) 2.7 (0.150,0.910) 2.9 (0.200,0.925)
(T/m)
S4
BxG
2.6 (0.000,0.830) 2.7 (0.100,0.842) 2.9 (0.150,0.815) 3.2 (0.200,0.825)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.260) 1.5 (0.100,0.344) 1.5 (0.150,0.480) 1.5 (0.200,0.565)

1.5T Gradient
2.0 (0.000,0.970) 2.1 (0.100,0.990) 2.2 (0.150,0.970) 2.3 (0.200,0.940)
(T/m)
S3
BxG
2.3 (0.000,0.895) 2.4 (0.100,0.889) 2.5 (0.150,0.885) 2.7 (0.200,0.875)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.260) 1.5 (0.100,0.344) 1.5 (0.150,0.481) 1.5 (0.200,0.564)
1.5T
Gradient
S3 2.1 (0.000,1.004) 2.2 (0.100,0.990) 2.3 (0.150,0.973) 2.4 (0.200,0.990)
(T/m)
magna-
shield BxG
2.3 (0.000,0.895) 2.4 (0.100,0.889) 2.5 (0.150,0.893) 2.8 (0.200,0.884)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.261) 1.5 (0.100,0.384) 1.5 (0.150,0.496) 1.5 (0.200,0.568)

1.5T Gradient
2.0 (0.000,0.988) 2.1 (0.100,0.978) 2.2 (0.150,0.968) 2.3 (0.200,0.931)
(T/m)
S2
BxG
2.2 (0.000,0.890) 2.3 (0.100,0.880) 2.5 (0.150,0.867) 2.7 (0.200,0.868)
(T2/m)

2-52 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-34: Concentric cylinder data table 2

On patient Z on 50cm on 55 cm on 60cm on 70cm

Field axis Diameter Diameter Diameter Diameter
Item Cylinder surface Cylinder surface Cylinder surface Cylinder surface
Magnet
Peak R,Z (m,m) Peak R,Z (m,m) Peak R,Z (m,m) Peak R,Z (m,m) Peak R,Z (m,m)
Bo (T) 3.0 (0.000,0.250) 3.1 (0.250,0.580) 3.2 (0.275,0.595) 3.3 (0.300,0.610) 3.5 (0.350,0.635)
Gradient
3.0T 5.1 (0.000,0.880) 7.0 (0.250,0.845) 7.5 (0.275,0.800) 8.3 (0.300,0.825) 10.7 (0.350,0.770)
(T/m)
3TLC
BxG
10.6 (0.000,0.790) 16.9 (0.250,0.755) 18.9 (0.275,0.790) 22.4 (0.300,0.740) 31.5 (0.350,0.740)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 3.0 (0.000,0.225) 3.1 (0.250,0.585) 3.2 (0.275,0.600) 3.2 (0.300,0.620) 3.5 (0.350,0.640)
Gradient
3.0T 5.0 (0.000,0.900) 6.7 (0.250,0.830) 7.7 (0.275,0.825) 7.9 (0.300,0.805) 10.4 (0.350,0.755)
(T/m)
G3
BxG
12.2 (0.000,0.810) 16.4 (0.250,0.800) 19.3 (0.275,0.790) 21.9 (0.300,0.765) 32.7 (0.350,0.750)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 3.0 (0.000,0.275) 3.0 (0.250,0.600) 3.1 (0.275,0.620) 3.1 (0.300,0.640)
Gradient
3.0T 4.3 (0.000,1.090) 5.2 (0.250,1.090) 5.5 (0.275,1.085) 5.8 (0.300,1.075)
(T/m)
3T94
BxG
8.7 (0.000,0.970) 11.1 (0.250,0.975) 11.8 (0.275,0.985) 12.6 (0.300,0.995)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.270) 1.6 (0.250,0.565) 1.6 (0.275,0.580) 1.7 (0.300,0.595) 1.9 (0.350,0.610)
Gradient
1.5T 2.6 (0.000,0.840) 3.8 (0.250,0.755) 4.2 (0.275,0.755) 4.7 (0.300,0.760) 6.7 (0.350,0.680)
(T/m)
DVw
BxG
2.9 (0.000,0.730) 4.9 (0.250,0.735) 5.8 (0.275,0.725) 7.0 (0.300,0.685) 11.8 (0.350,0.660)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.230) 1.6 (0.250,0.570) 1.6 (0.275,0.590) 1.7 (0.300,0.600)
Gradient
1.5T 2.7 (0.000,0.840) 3.7 (0.250,0.820) 4.1 (0.275,0.790) 4.6 (0.300,0.750)
(T/m)
LCC
BxG
2.8 (0.000,0.770) 4.7 (0.250,0.750) 5.5 (0.275,0.740) 6.5 (0.300,0.720)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.230) 1.6 (0.250,0.570) 1.6 (0.275,0.585) 1.7 (0.300,0.600)
Gradient
1.5T 2.7 (0.000,0.85) 3.8 (0.250,0.810) 4.2 (0.275,0.775) 4.6 (0.300,0.775)
(T/m)
Cx
BxG
2.8 (0.000,0.600) 4.7 (0.250,0.715) 5.5 (0.275,0.700) 6.5 (0.300,0.715)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.320) 1.6 (0.250,0.575) 1.6 (0.275,0.595) 1.6 (0.300,0.615)
Gradient
1.5T 2.5 (0.000,0.900) 3.3 (0.250,0.850) 3.5 (0.275,0.845) 3.7 (0.300,0.830)
(T/m)
S5
BxG
2.6 (0.000,0.820) 3.9 (0.250,0.795) 4.4 (0.275,0.780) 4.9 (0.300,0.775)
(T2/m)
Bo (T) 1.5 (0.000,0.210) 1.5 (0.250,0.595) 1.6 (0.275,0.620) 1.6 (0.300,0.630)
Gradient
1.5T 2.5 (0.000,0.920) 3.3 (0.250,0.890) 3.4 (0.275,0.885) 3.7 (0.300,0.860)
(T/m)
S4
BxG
2.6 (0.000,0.830) 3.8 (0.250,0.795) 4.2 (0.275,0.810) 4.7 (0.300,0.775)
(T2/m)

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-53

On patient Z on 50cm on 55 cm on 60cm on 70cm

1.5T Gradient
2.0 (0.000,0.988) 2.6 (0.250,0.942) 2.7 (0.275,0.922) 2.9 (0.300,0.900)
(T/m)
S2
BxG
2.2 (0.000,0.890) 3.2 (0.250,0.832) 3.4 (0.275,0.865) 3.9 (0.300,0.831)
(T2/m)

2-54 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

M AG NE T IC FIE LDS

Cryogen and quench concerns

With superconductive MR systems, another concern related to the static magnetic field is a quench of the
cryogens. A superconductive magnet uses cryogens to super-cool the electrical conductor that creates the
magnetic field. Temperatures as low as -269°C (-452°F) are achieved to create the proper environment
within the magnet. A quench, which is a sudden boil-off of the entire volume of cryogenic liquid, causes a
rapid loss of the static magnetic field.

Liquid Cryogen Hazards

Cryogens come in large vacuum containers called dewars. Liquid helium is generally used for cooling
purposes, although some service procedures also require liquid nitrogen. Nitrogen dewars weigh from 400
to 500 pounds when full. Helium dewars weigh from 700 to 800 pounds. In addition to large dewars, there
may be smaller helium gas cylinders present. This helium gas is used to fill the magnet to proper cryogen
levels. Special considerations should be observed when dealing with cryogens.

CAUTION
Leaking helium or nitrogen gas will displace oxygen. The ambient air oxygen concentration may
then be insufficient for human respiration. The limit of the air oxygen concentration should meet
national laws or regulations.

CAUTION
The following information defines the proper handling of cryogens.

l Dewars and cylinders should not be tipped or heated, nor should the valves be
tampered with.
l The cryogens boil off as they cool the magnet wires and must be replenished
periodically by qualified personnel. The rate of boil-off should be monitored by
checking the cryogen level meter found on the system cabinet.

l Contact with the cryogenic liquids or gas could result in severe frostbite; care should
be taken when in proximity to these substances. The wearing of protective clothing is
essential during all work in conjunction with liquefied cryogens. Such clothing consists
of:
o Safety gloves
o Work gloves
o Face shield
o Laboratory coat or overalls (cotton or linen)
o Non-magnetic safety shoes

l Dewars should be stored in a well-ventilated area. Cryogens could be accidentally

released in gaseous form, resulting in an asphyxiation hazard.
l All dewars and gas cylinders must be non-magnetic.
l Gas cylinders should be stored upright and secured to the wall with a chain with the
metal protective top in place. (If a cylinder falls over or the valve is knocked off, the
container may act like a rocket; a full cylinder has enough power to penetrate walls.)
l Because the cylinder’s metal cap may be magnetic, the cap should always be
removed before bringing the cylinder into the magnet room.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-55

l If possible, all personnel should stay out of the magnet room when a qualified service
engineer is filling cryogens in the magnet. If personnel must be present, they must
wear proper gloves, a face shield, and ear protectors.
l A qualified service engineer should be present any time cryogens are transported
within the hospital or added to the magnet.
l It is crucial that ventilation and cryogenic systems be kept in good repair and checked
regularly to ensure proper functionality.
l Flammable materials must not be brought near the cryogen containers.
l You are responsible for establishing and following a procedure, in accordance with
your local and federal requirements (in the US: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.36), that includes
possible evacuation of the MRI area, if flammable materials are identified near
cryogenic gases. If grease, oil, or other combustible material is present in the vicinity
of the containers, the escape of cryogenic gases can lead to the formation of a
potentially combustible liquid due to liquefaction of air and concentration of oxygen.

Quench vent failure hazards

Quenches are indicated by a loud noise, warning message, or the tilting of an image on the display screen.
A quench is a hazard only if the vent fails, which would result in the release of white clouds of cryogen vapor
into the magnet room. This would present a potential asphyxiation hazard to both the patient and personnel.
It is critical to have a well-planned method to quickly evacuate the patient and personnel from the magnet
room should a quench occur.

WARNING
In the unlikely event of a quench and vent failure, a procedure needs to be in place to evacuate the
patient and all personnel from the magnet room. Failure to follow these precautions can result in
serious injury (e.g., asphyxiation, frostbite, or injuries due to panic).
The table below lists the decay times for the 1.5T system to reach 20 mT and the 3.0T systems to reach 50
mT in the case of a quench or the Emergency Magnet Rundown switch is activated.
Table 2-35: Examples of system decay time to reach 20 mT for 1.5T systems and 50 mT for 3.0T systems

System Decay time (seconds)

0.7T 120
1.5T 120
1.5T wide bore 60
3.0T VH/i 30
3.0T EXCITE 100
3.0T wide bore 60

2-56 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Gradient magnetic fields

Gradient magnetic fields produce rapidly changing magnetic fields during scanning. Gradients turn on and
off very rapidly to spatially encode the MR signal during a scan. High frequency gradient amplitudes
switched very quickly (high dB/dt) may cause nerve stimulation at periphery of body due to induced
currents in nerves. Because a current can be induced in any conductive material lying on or near the
patient’s body, a potential biological hazard exists. The greater the rate of change of the magnetic field
(dB/dt, slew rate), the larger the induced current. The muscles, nerves, and blood vessels of the human
body are all conductive materials.

WARNING
Ensure occupational exposure to time varying magnetic field caused by the gradients complies with
local requirements.

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Calculate maximum gradient output

Let d be the total duration of the gradient ramp (minimum to maximum) or the period of a sinusoidal
waveform divided by π. Let f be a fraction (0.8 for Normal Mode or 1 for First Mode). Let c be the chronaxie
time in microseconds. Let d|B|/dt_0 be the rheobase (rb, infinite ramp duration) value of the time varying
gradient magnetic field. Gradient output may be expressed by the following equation;
Maximum gradient output on a cylinder of 0.2 m radius may be found from equation and table below. f is the
fraction of the mean stimulation threshold, rb is the infinite ramp duration mean PNS threshold, c is the
rheobase value (ramp duration where the mean threshold is 2*rb), and d is the gradient ramp duration.

Table 2-36: Rheobase and chronaxie constants for various gradient coils

rb (T/s) C (μs)
BRM* 23.7 370
CRM 25.2 558
TRM Zoom 29.1 354
TRM WB 23.7 370
XRMB 23.4 334.3
XRMw 20 360

*BRM gradient used in Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 systems

Related topics
Contraindications for use

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Gradient output limits

Safety parameter levels approved for the Second Controlled Operating Mode are set by the Investigational
Review Board (IRB) or other human studies boards. For Gradient Output these levels are measured as a
percentage of the mean peripheral nerve stimulation threshold (PNS).

CAUTION
Continuous patient observation and contact are required in all modes of operation. Medical
Supervision is required in the First or Second Level controlled operating modes.

The MR system gradients are capable of operating under several modes:

Normal: the normal operating mode, admissible for all individuals.

First Level: controlled operating mode, admissible for patients on whom a medical decision was
made ensuring that they can handle the increased gradient output effects or increased SAR. Limits
for increased gradient output and SAR are based on current scientific literature related to safety.
Second Level: controlled operating mode, admissible for customers with Investigation (ethical
studies) Review Board (IRB) clearance and with a proprietary license agreement with GE. IRB review
must include explicit approval of the percentage PNS threshold.

The appearance of the operating interface changes on the basis of: whether the system is operating in
clinical or research mode, the governing standard (typically the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC)). The table below lists system operating modes and associated threshold limits.

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Product maximum gradient output

The table below gives d|B|/dt for the maximum magnitude values of the vector sum of the field components
generated by each of the three GRADIENT UNITS simultaneously at the published peak gradient strength
and peak slew rate. The values are in terms of d|B|/dt at various diameters (in meters) from the gradient coil
axis. The diameters include 0.2 m, 0.4 m, and the bore diameter minus 0.1 m. The values include no
peripheral nerve stimulation limits.
Table 2-37: Maximum d|B|/dt on cylinders of various diameters at the product slew rate

max d|B|/dt [T/s] D= 0.2 (m) D = 0.4 (m0 D = 0.45 (m) D = 0.5 (m) D = 0.6 (m)
BRM
(Signa HDx, Cx 1.5 T BRM, MR360, 60 cm 59.1 84.5 N/A 111 N/A
bore, Lx, Excite, HD, and S5)
CRM
64.4 98 113 N/A N/A
(CRM, 55 cm bore, Lx, Excite, HD)
TRM zoom
60.1 87.1 N/A 111.5 N/A
(TwinSpeed, 60 cm bore, Lx, Excite, HD)
TRM whole body
40.8 58.2 N/A 75 N/A
(TwinSpeed, 60 cm bore, Lx, Excite, HD)
XRMb
94.7 129.1 N/A 161.9 N/A
(3T MR750, 60 cm bore, DV)
XRMw
(1.5 T MR450w, 3 T MR750w. 70 cm bore, 52.2 70.8 N/A N/A 118.6
DV)

CAUTION
Gradient output may be controlled by Local Approval.
Table 2-38: IEC gradient output limits

Operating mode PNS Limit

Normal 80% mean nerve stimulation threshold
100% of the mean nerve stimulation threshold. Requires you to click the
First Level (controlled mode) [Accept] button to proceed when the Normal mode dB/dt or SAR limits are
exceeded, but Second Level mode has not yet been reached.
Second Level (controlled Requires research key and IRB or Human Ethical Committee approval of the
mode) research to be conducted.

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Peripheral nerve stimulation

The concern from time-varying gradient fields is to prevent cardiac stimulation and ventricular fibrillation.
Cardiac stimulation in the most sensitive population percentile requires at least 39 times as much energy
as is produced by at peak gradient amplitude of 0.05 Tesla/meter and Slew Rate of 200 Tesla/meter/sec.
Regulatory bodies use avoidance of painful nerve stimulation to limit gradient output with an adequate
safety margin. Painful nerve stimulation typically occurs at approximately double the mean stimulation
perception threshold. Some discomfort is experienced about 1.5 times the mean PNS threshold, see figure
below.
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) problems are not of concern on systems compliant with IEC 60601-2-33
Normal or First Controlled Operating Modes. The IEC limits PNS to 80% of the mean threshold in Normal
Mode (where stimulation should be rare) and 100% for the First Mode (where non-painful stimulation is
expected in about half the patients).
If the patient can not tolerate PNS, change to Normal Mode to eliminate the problem. Otherwise change to
a lower slew rate pulse sequence to continue scanning the patient. MR workers may experience similar
sensations if they are in or very near gradient coils during active scanning.
The Anterior/Posterior (A/P) (=Y) gradient axis typically has the lowest stimulation threshold. So it is prudent
to keep the gradient waveform most likely to stimulate (the gradient waveform with the highest slew rate
for the longest total ramp time) on a physical axis other than Y.
You should remain in constant contact with the patient, especially in the FIRST CONTROLLED MODE, to
ensure that the patient does not feel painful stimulation (or high localized heating).
The figure below displays a graph of the relative mean threshold (vertical axis) and discomfort stimulation
levels (horizontal axis) where relative means are for perception (100), discomfort (1000), and pain (10,000).

1 = threshold
2 = uncomfortable
3 = intolerable
4 = 1% cardiac
Figure 2-20: Relative mean threshold and discomfort stimulation levels

The distribution of those experiencing PNS is illustrated in the figure below; three curves where the
horizontal axis is the normalized level and the vertical axis is the% probability of PNS. The curves represent
the following:

1 = threshold
2 = uncomfortable
3 = intolerable

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-61

Figure 2-21: PNS probability. X axis = Fraction of the Mean Threshold (100% PNS). Y axis = Population percentile.

CAUTION
To reduce the possibility of PNS, make sure the patient’s hands are not clasped or touching and that
their feet are not crossed. Either or both of which could form a conductive loop.

CAUTION
Due to the rapid rate of change of the magnetic fields (dB/dt) used during some scans, a percentage
of patients may experience a non-hazardous tingling or touch sensation. The PNS probability graph
indicates the type of sensations caused at different percentages of the mean nerve stimulation
threshold. Note that stimulation is relatively rare in NORMAL MODE (x-axis=0.8), but occurs about
50% of the time in the FIRST MODE (x axis=1). If this sensation is bothersome or uncomfortable to
the patient, stop the scan. Change to NORMAL MODE to continue scanning the patient. The MR
worker may experience similar sensations if remaining within the gradient field during active
scanning.

CAUTION
There is a possibility that mild peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) may be induced in the MR worker
when that person is exposed to the gradients when the system is operating in the First Level
Controlled Operation Mode. The MR worker should remain outside the magnet room during
scanning in this Mode except when circumstances dictate otherwise.

CAUTION
Peripheral nerve stimulation is not harmful. The potential for inducing peripheral nerve stimulation
is kept within limitations. The MR system is limited from operating above 80% of the PNS threshold
in the NORMAL Mode (100% of the mean PNS threshold in the First Mode) by the software (unless
the system is in Second Controlled Mode). The point at which 50% of a population experiences PNS
is the PNS threshold. PNS has been described as a light “touching” sensation felt on various areas of
the skin surface. These areas vary depending upon which gradient axis is in use. Some common

2-62 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

areas for the sensations are the bridge of the nose, arms, chest, and upper buttock/abdomen.
Hands clasped together increase the potential for stimulation by approximately 65%. The potential
for PNS is low, but it exists for all sequences in all gradient configurations.

Please report all complaints of patient discomfort that may be associated with PNS during MR
examinations (e.g., muscle twitches, tingling sensations, or headaches) to GE Healthcare. See Safety
information for contact information.

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Acoustic noise
Another potential safety issue associated with gradient switching is the loud noise. The rapid alternations of
currents within the gradient coils cause the coil assemblies to vibrate against their mountings, thus
generating a loud resonant noise. The acoustic noise produced during scanning can exceed 99 dBA in the
bore.

WARNING
The sound level at the operator’s console should be limited to comply with local rules.

WARNING
Hearing protection is required for all people, including the MR worker, in the magnet room during a
scan to prevent hearing impairment. Acoustic levels may exceed 99 dBA. Patient hearing protection
with a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 29 dB or better is required to reduce acoustic level below
99dBA. The A-weighted RMS sound pressure level is measured according to section 26e and 26g of
IEC 60601-2-33: 2002.

CAUTION
All personnel should be trained on the proper use of hearing protection.
• Special attention should be utilized to protect the hearing of neonates, premature infants, and any
other condition that does not allow for hearing protection to be applied.
• Patients with increased anxiety may have a lower acceptance to sound pressure (e.g., newborns,
infants, young children, elderly, and pregnant women and the foetus).
• Anesthetized patients have less then normal protection against high sound pressure. Hearing
protection should not be omitted.
• Typical operator console noise levels are below 60 dBA, so hearing protection is generally not
required at the operator console. However, it is important to ensure the sound level complies with
all local regulations.
• In some countries, legislation exists that limits employee exposure to noise levels. Ensure
compliance with your local regulations by providing additional hearing protection to MR workers for
use in the magnet room where required.
• If a music sound system is in use by the patient during scanning, the music sound system must
provide > 29dB NRR of attenuation. All hearing protection devices must provide > 29dB NRR of
attenuation.
Encourage the routine use of earplugs to prevent problems associated with acoustic noise during MR
procedures. GE Healthcare offers disposable ear protection of various noise reduction ratings. These can be
ordered through the GE accessories catalog. The table below, describes the available types of disposable
ear protection.
Table 2-39: Disposable ear protection

Description dB
E8801BA EAR Disposable Foam Earplugs 29
E8801BB EAR Taperfit2 Foam Earplugs 32
E8801BC Max-Lite Foam Earplugs 30

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Since the acoustic noise of the OpenSpeed system does not exceed 92.2 dBA, ear protection is not
required, but is recommended.

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Electromagnetic fields
The Radio Frequency (RF) field is an oscillating electromagnetic field. Pulses of RF energy are used to
generate the signal, which cause tissues to absorb RF power. Under certain conditions, this may cause
tissue heating. The amount of heating depends on several factors, such as patient size and pulse sequence
timing. RF heating of tissues is greatest at the periphery of the skin. The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is the
estimated amount of heat dose received by the patient. This value is expressed as watts of power per
kilogram of the patient’s body weight.

MR frequencies for Multi-Nuclear Spectroscopy (MNS)

Figure 2-22: MR frequencies in MHz for Multi-Nuclear Spectroscopy (MNS) nuclei at 1.5T and 3.0T

1.5 Tesla 3.0 Tesla

Nucleus Min Freq MHz Max Freq MHz Min Freq MHz Max Freq MHz
15N 6.450 6.496 12.899 12.993
17O 8.621 8.690 17.242 17.380
2D 9.772 9.834 19.544 19.669
29Si 12.657 12.743 25.314 25.486
13C 16.008 16.113 32.016 32.227
23Na 16.849 16.956 33.697 33.912
129Xe 17.672 17.916 35.345 35.833
11B 20.428 20.562 40.855 41.124
7Li 24.744 24.901 49.488 49.803
31P 25.787 25.970 51.574 51.941
3He 48.519 48.827 97.037 97.654
19F 59.895 60.396 119.790 120.791
1H 63.658 64.063 127.316 128.126

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Tissue heating
Before the patient is scanned, the computer estimates the level of heating and compares it to the
predetermined exposure limits. If the scan is expected to exceed these limits, the system then adjusts the
scan parameters before starting the scan. The complete estimate is based in part on patient weight.
Therefore, take care to enter the patient’s weight correctly to prevent excessive RF exposure or scan
abortion.
When patient temperature is not changing, typical skin temperatures are about 33 °C while core
temperatures are about 37 °C. Patients dissipate metabolic heat at the same rate it is generated so there
are no skin or core temperature changes. Humans subjected to significant radio frequency power
deposition (i.e., significant SAR) will normally attempt to dissipate the additional heat load through
vasodilatation of skin blood vessels permitting skin to approach core temperature. This action typically
causes the skin to flush (turn red) and enables the body to dissipate heat more rapidly. This skin flushing is a
normal response to significant radio frequency power deposition. Skin reddening or to a lesser degree the
report of a warming sensation without reddening regardless of the method it was created (SAR, Contact,
Metal, etc) is not hazardous if it clears in a few hours.

Patient comfort module

A sensor located in the bore of the magnet monitors bore temperature. The sensor posts appropriate
messages in the System Status Display area of the monitor (upper left portion of the monitor) that notify
you when the magnet bore wall is becoming warm. The temperature inside the magnet room should be set
at less than 70°F and the bore fan should be turned on at all times to keep air flowing inside the bore of the
magnet.

Thermal hazards
The increase in tissue temperature caused by RF exposure depends on a variety of factors associated with
the thermoregulatory system of the individual and the surrounding environment. Thermoregulatory is the
ability of the body to maintain regulated heat capacity levels. Observe the following warnings concerning
tissue heating:

WARNING
RF power deposition can heat the patient’s tissue if delivered faster than the patient’s tissues can
dissipate the generated heat. The amount of tissue heating depends on the patient’s weight, type of
pulse sequence, timing factors, number of slices, SAR, and the use of imaging options such as
saturation. Power deposition will typically be lower when the NORMAL MODE is selected for SAR.
FIRST MODE for SAR offers higher performance but also higher power deposition.

WARNING
A rise in body temperature can be a hazard to a patient with reduced thermoregulatory capacity
and increased sensitivity to raised body temperature. These can be caused by pre-existing
conditions, such as cardiac impairment that has reduced circulatory function, hypertension,
diabetes, old age, obesity, fever, pregnancy, or an impaired ability to perspire. A patient with these
complications must be carefully monitored at all times. Consider scanning with NORMAL MODE for
SAR for patients that may not tolerate the higher levels.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-67

CAUTION
The MR worker who remains in the scan room during a study could be subject to tissue heating
caused by RF energy exposure. Care should be taken to limit the time the MR worker remains in the
scan room during a study.

WARNING
RF can also raise the magnet bore temperature and cause thermal stress; medical conditions can
reduce a patient’s ability to cope with external temperature increases. If the temperature continues
to rise, the scan stops until temperature within the bore is lowered. When the sensor detects
temperatures that may cause patient discomfort, the system posts the following messages on the
screen or in the error log:

"The patient comfort level is warmer than normal."

"The patient may be uncomfortable during the scan."
"The bore cooling system or magnet room temperature may not be normal."
"Further increases in temperature will inhibit scanning."

When the temperature drops to a comfortable level, the message is cleared from the screen. If the
temperature continues to rise, a second message appears on the screen:

"Scan inhibited. Patient comfort sensor trip."

To facilitate a return to scanning, make sure the patient fan is ON, room temperature is normal,
21°C (70°F), and air flow through the bore is unobstructed.
When the magnet opening temperature decreases, the system posts this message:

"New scans can be initiated, but the patient comfort level is still warmer than normal."

CAUTION
All patients should be monitored for increased temperature during the scan acquisition. If the
patient reports discomfort due to warming, stop the scan. Patients should be provided with the
hand-held Patient Alert bulb prior to scanning. The patient should be instructed to communicate any
concerns through the intercom or by activating the Patient Alert bulb.

CAUTION
RF heating can be caused by:

l Damp clothing
l Contact of body or extremities against the RF transmit coil surface, contact with metal,
tattoos or metallic eyeliner, contact with other body parts
l Formation of loops with RF receive coil cables and ECG leads
l The use of non MR-compatible ECG electrodes. Never use ECG electrodes past their
expiration date.

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l Scanning with a unconnected receive coil or other cables in the RF transmit coil
during the examination.
l ECG leads not compatible with MR. MR leads have very high impedances that limit
current to below the level of concern.

CAUTION
Extra attention should be utilized when scanning patients who are unconscious, sedated, or may
have loss of feeling in any body part (temporary or permanent paralysis). They may not be able to
alert you to RF heating.

CAUTION
The coil selected should match the coil that is connected. When scanning with a transmit/receive
only coil, DO NOT scan using the body coil (or use the Body coil configuration) at any time. Using the
body coil can cause RF heating and could result in patient burns. In addition, scanning with the body
coil can damage the transmit/receive only coil, requiring the coil to be unusable and returned to the
factory for service.

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Contact point heating

Patient positioning can affect the safety of the scan procedure. To help prevent a patient burn from closed
loops formed by the following examples: clasped hands, by hands touching the body, from thighs contacting,
the patient's breasts contacting the chest wall over a small area, etc., insert non-conducting pads at least
0.25 inches thick between touching parts and between the patient and the bore wall and the patient and any
coils or conductors.
Figure 2-23: Patient positioned with non-conducting pads (1)

Observe the following warnings concerning contact point heating to protect patients from excessive heating
or burns related to induced currents during MR procedures:

WARNING
RF can cause localized heating at contact points between the patient/bore and patient/RF coil
resulting in discomfort or burns.

WARNING
RF can cause localized heating at contact points between adjacent body parts when a loop is
formed. Such localized heating can result in discomfort, or burns. This could occur when a patient’s
hands are touching or when a female patient’s breasts are compressed to her chest. Use pads
between body parts to avoid creating a loop with adjacent body parts.

WARNING
Place appropriate non-conductive padding between the patient and the bore wherever a portion of
the body may come into contact with the magnet opening.

WARNING
Always place appropriate non-conductive padding between the surface coil and the patient’s skin to
prevent burn injuries.

WARNING
For shoulder imaging, always place appropriate non-conductive padding between the patient’s
opposite shoulder or a portion of the patient’s body and the bore wherever a portion of the body or
opposite shoulder comes into contact with the bore.

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CAUTION
RF can cause localized heating at patient contact points. Wet diapers or incontinence products have
the same electrical properties as human tissue. All patients with diapers, including adults, should
have dry diapers on prior to the start of the scan. If the patient reports discomfort due to warming,
stop the scan.

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Conductive material heating

Another potential hazard related to the RF field is the heating of implants, devices, and objects of conductive
(e.g. metallic) compositions that may cause temperature changes during an MR examination. The induced
currents in the conductive (e.g. metallic) objects may cause them to get so hot that they can actually cause
burns in adjacent tissues. Therefore, it is very important to determine each patient’s work history and
thoroughly screen for any accessories containing conductive material.
Observe the following warnings concerning conductive material heating to protect patients from excessive
heating or burns related to induced currents during MR procedures:

WARNING
Eye makeup that contains metal flakes can cause eye and skin irritation during MR scanning.
Instruct patients to wash off removable makeup before the exam to avoid the risk of eye injury.
Before scanning, warn patients with permanent eyeliner or other metallic ink tattoos about the risk
of skin irritation and instruct them to get prompt medical attention if they experience severe
discomfort following an MR exam.

WARNING
Metal fragments/slivers can deflect and/or heat in a magnetic field, damaging surrounding tissues.
Patients thought to have metallic fragments in the eye should receive an eye exam to detect and
remove any metal fragments that could deflect and damage the eye.

WARNING
Jewelry, even 14-karat gold, can heat and cause burns. RF can heat (even non-ferrous) metal and
cause burns.

WARNING
Medicinal products in transdermal patches may cause burns to underlying skin.

WARNING
The use of MR non-compatible stereotactic frames and RF blankets is not recommended.

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Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits

It is necessary to measure the RF absorption in tissues since RF exposure cannot be measured by the
system. Energy dissipation through absorption by the body can be described in terms of Specific Absorption
Rate (SAR). SAR is a rate, meaning it is a measure of the amount of RF power absorbed per unit of mass of
an object in watts per kilogram (W/kg). There are several types of SAR, listed in the table below, that must
be understood.
Table 2-40: SAR definitions

SAR type Definition

SAR averaged over total patient body mass over any six-minute period for Body and
Whole body
Receive Only surface coils, which use body transmit.
Partial body SAR averaged over the exposed mass in the coil averaged over any six-minute period.
Head SAR averaged over the mass of the patient’s head over any six-minute period.
SAR averaged over the estimated mass of the patient’s extremity over any six-minute
Extremity
period for small volume and Transmit/Receive coils.
Short term The SAR averaged over any 10-second period.

The MR system SAR operating modes:

Normal: the normal operating mode, admissible for all individuals.

First Level: controlled operating mode, admissible for patients on whom a medical decision was
made ensuring they can handle the increased SAR effects. Increased SAR levels are based on
current scientific literature related to safety.
Second Level: controlled operating mode, admissible for customers with a propriety license
agreement with GE and with Investigational Review Board clearance for the investigational protocol.
IRB review must include explicit approval of the SAR limits.

CAUTION
When the system is operating in research mode, you are presented an interface to modify pulse
sequence internal parameters. If one chooses to modify certain internal pulse sequence
parameters like the pulse sequence repetition time, there is a risk of running the pulse sequence at
a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) higher than the regulatory limits. You are advised NOT to modify
any internal pulse sequence parameters through Research Options, unless you are certain that by
doing so, you are not violating or bypassing safety limits or other local requirements which are
otherwise in place.

CAUTION
Continuous patient observation and contact is required in all modes of operation. Medical
Supervision is required in the First or Second Level controlled operating modes.

CAUTION
SAR may be controlled by Local Approval.

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WARNING
The magnet room temperature shall not be more than 21°C per the manufacturer’s requirements
and the relative humidity shall not be more than 60%. Temperatures above 21°C and humidity
above 60% could result in lowering the system SAR limit.
The derating temperature is 25°C for relative humidity less than 60%. For each 10% increase of the
relative humidity in excess of 60%, the temperature is reduced by 0.25°C, e.g., 24°C at 100%
relative humidity.
For each degree of environmental temperature that exceeds the SAR-derating temperature, the
whole-body SAR limit is reduced by 0.25 W/kg until the SAR is 2 W/kg or 0 W/kg for the First Level
controlled operating mode or for the Normal mode, respectively.

WARNING
The RF power monitor and SAR limitations help prevent excessive RF exposure to the patient; SAR
values are calculated based on the patient’s weight. To help avoid injury, enter the patient’s correct
weight to set operating limits and prevent excessive RF exposure.

WARNING
The SAR algorithms for the MR systems calculate SAR values and set a limit on the number of
slices/echoes per second in order to limit RF power deposition. The power monitor and SAR
algorithm limit SAR, regardless of the patient weight or pulse sequence used. SAR limits are
conservatively estimated from worse-case patient positioning as a function of weight.
The legacy power monitor module limits the RF amplifier output power thus limiting the patient SAR
in case of a catastrophic failure. This module monitors peak power based on the patient’s weight,
duty cycle, and pulse sequence parameters. The peak power limits prevent you from using incorrect
patient weights.

WARNING
The average power monitor and SAR algorithm limit SAR based on patient weight and RF transmit
coil used. SAR limits are conservatively estimated from worse case patient positioning as a function
of weight. The power monitor limits the RF power, which in turn limits the patient SAR to within
controlled limits over time.
Pulse sequence SAR predictions (estimated SAR) are based on patient weight at the worst-case landmark.
To minimize nuisance power monitor trips caused by patient-to-patient variability, pulse sequence
predicted SAR is the mean plus 1.96 standard deviations (typically the normalized standard deviation is
about 18% at the worst-case landmark). The expected worst-case nuisance trip rate is approximately 2.5%.
If you experience a significant number of power trips above the 2.5% frequency, please consult your local
field service representative. The power monitor measures actual power and limits SAR appropriately. The
power measuring accuracy of the power monitor is about +/-12%.
Errors in patient weight do not result in excessive SAR. Low patient weight entries result in power monitor
trips below the SAR limit. High patient weight entries result in fewer slices/images per unit time than would
have been permissible.

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SAR limits
The MR system’s RF power monitor helps prevent excessive RF exposure due to equipment failure. Since
the monitor protects the patient, it must be operational at all times, even when a scan is not in progress. If it
detects an equipment failure, it immediately disables the RF system. This system must be repaired or
adjusted by qualified service personnel.
Table 2-41: SAR operating limits

System Normal mode (W/kg) First level (W/kg) Second level (W/kg)
Head = 3.2
0.7T N/A N/A
Body = 2.0
Head = 3.2 Head = 3.2 Head > 3.2
1.5T
Body = 2.0 Body = 4.0 Body > 4.0
Head = 3.2 Head = 3.2 Head > 3.2
3.0T
Body = 2.0 Body = 4.0 Body > 4.0*

*When operating in the Second Level controlled operating mode, you need to click the [Scan Modes]
button from the Rx Manager and click [NO] to monitor SAR. This is only available when Research mode is
available. This disables the SAR slice limitations of the MR system, but not the slice limitations or SAR
monitoring of the 3.0T system power monitor. When the Research mode is enabled, a [Monitoring
Parameters] button is available. Clicking this button allows the researcher to enter an IRB approved SAR
limit for the research scans to be performed. The system automatically returns to Normal operation for the
next examination or can be manually returned to Normal operation by clicking the [Go to Clinical] button
from within the [Monitoring Parameters] button.
The IEC also allows Short Term limits that allow a higher Short Term SAR for 10 second periods of time.
These limits are 3 times higher than the 6 minute limitations per IEC guidelines. This allows short term
bursts of RF energy for very short scans.
For example, the Body SAR limit is 2.0 W/kg over 6 minutes and the 10 second average is subsequently 6.0
W/kg averaged over 10 seconds. This would allow a scan of 4.0 W/kg to run for up to 3 minutes, since
running at 2 times the long term limit can only run for half the time to equal the same average over the full
6 minutes.

Patient acceptance of High SAR scanning can be increased by giving the patient breaks to cool down,
providing light clothing, and limiting room temperature to 18 ± 3 °C, and by maximizing air flow.

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Maximum B1rms for Transmit Body Coils and Transmit Head Coils
The following table provides a bound for maximum B1rms (in micro-tesla) for body transmit coils and head
transmit coils at 1.5 T and at 3 T. Values are shown for the limits at 1.5 T and for the 3 T 94 magnet for the
head transmit coil and for the body transmit coil with the patient’s umbilicus at isocenter. Also shown are
the limits for other 3 T products for the head transmit coil and for the body transmit coil when the patient’s
umbilicus is at isocenter and when the patient’s chin is in isocenter in the body transmit coil.
Table 2-42: B1rms limit (µT)

Coil 1.5T 3.0T 3.0T 94

Body Coil
3.6 2.5 3.6
Umbilicus Landmark
Body Coil
N/A 3.6 N/A
Chin Landmark
Head Coil 7.2 7.2 7.2

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Clinical hazards
Maintaining good patient contact and education can help reduce patient anxiety reactions and clinical
scanning hazards in the MR environment and during procedures.

CAUTION
Continuous patient observation and contact are required in all modes of operation.
You need to be aware of the conditions and risks associated with the following:

High-Risk Patients
Scanning Hazards

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CLINICAL HAZAR DS

High risk patients

Several conditions are associated with high-risk patients, who may be at a greater risk of developing
complications during an MR examination. Observe these warnings and be prepared to manage the needs of
such patients during the examination.

WARNING
Patients with the following conditions are at the greatest risk of complications during MR scanning:
• Patients likely to develop seizure or have claustrophobic reactions.
• Greater than normal potential for cardiac arrest.
• Patients who are unconscious, heavily sedated, or confused and patients with whom no reliable
communication can be maintained.

WARNING
Patient screening is required for patients who are going to be imaged on an MR scanner.
Some patients may experience feelings of fear or claustrophobia when undergoing an MR procedure. This
could be related to the confining conditions of the magnet, the length of the examination, the acoustic noise,
or the temperatures within the bore of the magnet. Discuss the procedure with the patient and be prepared
to manage the needs of the patient during the examination.

CAUTION
The confining conditions of the MR system can precipitate claustrophobia in some patients. To
prevent injuries due to panic, provide instructions and comfort the patient as needed to alleviate
anxiety.

WARNING
Since direct observation from the operator’s console can be partially obscured by the magnet
enclosure, be sure to more closely monitor these types patients at all times to quickly identify and
respond to medical emergencies. In some cases, emergency personnel should remain with the
patient or be on standby alert to help prevent serious complications or death.

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Scanning hazards
During scan set-up, acquisition, and conclusion, be aware of the following scanning hazards:

WARNING
Do not use Projection Images for localization.

WARNING
Do not use 3D views only to perform voxel value, distance, angle, or area measurements. Always
refer to 2D baseline views.

CAUTION
Measurements are more reliable when done on 2D views. Always check on the 2D reformatted
views where exactly the points have been deposited.

CAUTION
Most multiple-channel receive only coils are designed to function best with adult patients. For
smaller patients using the multiple-channel receive only coil the patient positioning is critical for
optimal image quality. For small patients use appropriate non-conductive padding to place patient
anatomy of interest in the center of the coil.
For example, the HDHead coil is a multiple-channel receive only coil. Use appropriate non-
conductive padding to place the patient’s head in the center of the coil.

CAUTION
Make sure the patient connected IV lines, oxygen tubing, urinary catheters, and any other tubing
and cables are long enough to allow full travel of the system and will not become entangled,
pinched, or pulled.

CAUTION
Following the exam, your patient may need assistance when getting off the table. After lying in a
prone position for a length of time, your patient may experience light-headedness upon sitting up.

CAUTION
If the magnet room door is open, the scan cannot be started. If the scan is already in process and
the door is opened, the scan will pause. Close the door and press resume.
If the magnet room door is opened when attempting to start a scan, close the door and try again.
International regulations require the system to function in this manner.

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CAUTION
Always base evaluations on all images in the data set and on the clinical history. Information from
only a single image should not be used to evaluate a patient.

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Equipment hazards
There are also general equipment concerns in the MR environment. Make sure you are familiar with your
MR equipment and the accessory equipment manufacturer’s guidelines and precautions. Specifically, you
need to be aware of the hazards associated with the following MR equipment:

Laser Alignment Lights

Cables and Equipment Connections

Also observe the following general equipment hazards:

WARNING
The MR staff must consult the GE Pre-installation Manual before installing any furniture or making
any changes in the scan room. Failing to do so may hinder the servicing of the scanner and present
a dangerous safety hazard to the service engineer.

CAUTION
Using equipment that is damaged or has been compromised, can put the patient and/or operator
at risk of injury.

CAUTION
The MR system applications run on equipment that includes one or more hard disk drives, which
may hold medical data related to patients. In some countries, such equipment may be subject to
regulations concerning the processing of personal data and the free circulation of such data. It is
strongly recommended that access to patient files be protected from all persons not in medical
attendance.

CAUTION
Any application of physiological monitoring and sensing devices to the patient shall be made under
the clinical staffs direction and is the clinical staff’s responsibility. Use only MR-compatible devices.
Devices with conductors or ferromagnetic parts may introduce safety concerns. For medical
devices that are labeled as MR Safe or MR Conditional consult the device manufacturer's
documentation.

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Laser alignment lights

The MR systems use semiconductor laser alignment lights for patient land marking. This type of alignment
light casts a thin red light on the patient for the purpose of positioning and land marking. The laser lights can
cause eye injury. The figures below display the safety labels for laser products and are located near the
laser alignment light. Labels such as these provide safety information about laser radiation.
Figure 2-24: Laser safety label

Figure 2-25: Chinese laser safety label for Brivo MR355 and Optima MR360

Figure 2-26: Chinese laser safety label for other MR systems

Your system may have a slight variation of these labels.

The eyes must be protected from laser radiation. The patient needs to be instructed to close their eyes
when landmarking and the laser light is turned on. Exposing eyes to the laser alignment lights may result in
eye injury.

CAUTION
Exposing eyes to laser alignment lights may result in eye injury.

Do not stare directly into the laser beam.

Instruct patients to close their eyes to avoid eye exposure to the alignment light.

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Closely monitor all patients and prevent them from accidentally staring into the beam. Do not leave
the laser beam on after you position the patient.
Figure 2-27: Laser aperture warning label

The 3.0T VH/i imaging systems do not contain laser lights. Therefore, these hazards do not apply.

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Cables and equipment connections

Various equipment and accessories are used in the MR environment for specific types of examinations that
include cables and require connections to the MR system or the patient.
To avoid trip hazards, you should install yellow and black trip hazard indicator covers over any cables routed
on the ground of the equipment room.

WARNING
The following general warnings should be followed when using cables and accessory connection
equipment:
• For medical devices that are labeled as MR Safe or MR Conditional consult the device
manufacturer's documentation.
• Use only GE or GE-authorized accessory coils, cables, monitoring and gating equipment that is
labeled as compatible with MR equipment. Failure to restrict the use of such equipment not labeled
for MR applications may result in patient burns or other injuries.
• Use only accessories, coils, and cables that are in good condition. If you suspect that an accessory
is not in good condition, discontinue its use and contact your GE Service Engineer.
• Auxiliary devices indicated as compatible with MR equipment may still cause patient injuries if the
instructions for use are not explicitly followed. Never use equipment unless it is accompanied by the
use instructions.
• Remove unplugged surface coils or unused accessory devices from the magnet bore; a patient
burn can result.
• RF can heat non-compatible surface coils/gating cables, damaged surface coils/gating cables,
surface coils that are not properly plugged in, and improperly routed cables can cause burns.
• The use of cable-connected surface coils, the original peripheral gating probe (consult your GE
Service Engineer for questions), or electrocardiogram (ECG) gating accessories for patient scanning
can result in localized heating, leading to a burn or fire if proper scan preparation is not followed.
The cables often extend into the high intensity region of the RF field and it is possible that induced
electrical currents in the cables may cause arcing.
• Always bring the cable directly out of the magnet bore with no slack. Place cables under the
cushion whenever possible to separate the cable from the patient.
• Keep the length of cable in the bore to a minimum. Avoid bending the cable 180° and route the
cables out of the bore in the most direct way.
• Route cables through the center of the magnet bore. Place cables under the cushion whenever
possible to separate the cable from the patient. Routing near the sides of the bore increases the
likelihood of cable heating (from induced currents).
• Do not cross or loop cables. Arcing and patient burns could result.
In addition to the warnings above, there are specific warnings related to Cardiac Gating Equipment and
Accessory Coils you need to understand to maintain a safe MR environment.

Cardiac gating equipment

Electrocardiogram (ECG) gating may be performed in an MR environment to monitor critically ill patients or
for an MR triggering technique to synchronize the MR scan acquisition with the patient’s heart beat. Only
MR-compatible electrodes should be used in the MR environment to ensure patient safety. For medical
devices that are labeled as MR Safe or MR Conditional consult the device manufacturer's documentation.The
ECG triggering feature on the system should only to be used for cardiac gating and must not be used for

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patient monitoring. When using an ECG triggered MR technique, it is important to use only GE
recommended disposable electrodes and compatible leads.

WARNING
Observe the following warnings when using ECG or peripheral gating:
• The MR cardiac gating feature is intended for use solely in acquiring MR images using cardiac
gating/triggering, not for physiological monitoring. The patient’s condition may not be reflected,
resulting in improper emergency treatment.
• Do not use monitoring equipment when conductors are in the bore and touching the patient;
burns can result.
• Do not use leads with broken shields or exposed conductors. Only use accessories in good
condition. If you suspect that an accessory is not in good condition, discontinue its use and contact
your GE Service Engineer.
• Check to see that the cardiac or peripheral gating cable does not pass under or near the surface
coil or surface coil cable.
• Check to see that only the peripheral gating sensor touches the patient. Keep cables from coming
in contact with the patient.
• Do not use equipment that has not been specifically tested and approved for use in the
environment of a MR system.
• Physiological monitoring and sensing devices should be used solely under the operators direction
and it is their responsibility to ensure patient safety.

WARNING
Do not use waveforms for physiological monitoring. Patient condition may not be reflected,
resulting in improper treatment.

WARNING
Do not use expired or dried electrodes. They do not properly conduct the signal, which can lead to
image degradation, create intermittent triggering, and can cause burns to the patient.

Accessory coils
It is important you familiarize yourself with the operating instructions for each accessory coil used in your
MR environment. Follow the recommended guidelines and precautions by the manufacturer.

WARNING
Observe the following warnings when using surface coils:
• Do not use surface coils with exposed coils or damaged insulation. Skin contact with metal
conductors can cause burns.
• Do not allow the surface coil cable to touch the patient; patient burns can result. Use a thermal
resistant material or pad to keep the cable from touching the patient.
• When using the 1.5T Breast Coil, make sure the patient’s back and arms do not touch the magnet
bore. Use thermal resistant material or padding between the patient and the magnet to prevent
burns that could be caused by patient contact with the interior of the magnet bore.

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Clinical screening
To avoid potential health hazards in the MR environment, personnel and patient screening procedures
should be established in your imaging facility. Every person working or entering the magnet room or
adjacent rooms with a magnetic field needs to be instructed about the dangers. This should include all MR
workers, maintenance, service, and cleaning personnel, as well as the local fire station team.
All MR workers need careful assessment prior to engaging in operation of the MR system. Additionally, all
patients undergoing the MR examination need careful assessment prior to the procedure. Screening helps
identify anything that might create a health risk or interfere with MR imaging. It also assists you in
determining if the patient has any specific needs or limitations. Additionally, if another person accompanies
the patient undergoing the MR examination, they should be screened and managed in the same manner as
the patient. The aim of screening is to safely obtain high-quality images so an accurate diagnosis can be
made. Maintaining a controlled and safe environment can be achieved by careful questioning patients,
visitors/family members and all personnel.

Screen each patient thoroughly for pertinent medical history and conditions that contraindicate
scanning before initializing an examination. If proper scanning can not be performed, postpone MR
examinations until the screening can be completed.
A documented screening procedure should be followed by a review of the completed form and a verbal
conversation to verify the form information and provide the patient time to express his or her questions or
concerns. The review and discussion should be conducted by MR safety-trained personnel to ensure there is
no miscommunication about the MR safety issues.
A written screening form must be completed each time a patient is to have an MR examination. Even if the
patient undergoing previous MR examinations and/or has completed the screening form previously, does
not assure the patient another safe examination.

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Screening form
A comprehensive, printed screening form should be used to assess the patient and document the
information. The form can be customized for your MR suite and might consists of three sections:

Section 1: General Information

Section 2: Hazardous Items Checklist
Section 3: Magnet Room Pre-Entry Checklist

WARNING
Patient screening is required for patients who are going to be imaged on an MR scanner.

General information
Section 1 of a patient screening form contains general information concerning patient demographics and
the patient’s medical and work history. Relevant patient-related information is valuable for obtaining
current medical conditions and information on prior diagnostic studies that may be helpful in evaluating the
patient’s state.
Determining the patient’s work history is important for those who work in machine shops or similar
environments. These individuals may have small metal slivers or fragments of steel embedded in their
eyes. If metal fragments are suspected, the patient should receive an eye examination to detect and
remove hazardous materials before scanning.
Section 1 of a screening form also contains questions needed to help identify high-risk patients, i.e., those
with conditions posing higher risk of complications during the MR exam. Questions explore risks due only to
the condition of the patient (e.g. elevated risk of seizure or cardiac arrest) and also those due to the
elevated SAR possible when operating in First Level Controlled Mode (e.g. for patients with compromised
thermoregulatory capacity.)

MR workers may be at risk if previous occupational, recreational or other life experiences have
resulted in the accidental implantation of metallic substances, such as slivers or fragments. Page 2 of the
patient screening form should be completed by each MR worker to ensure the magnetic field does not pose
a hazard to their well-being.
This section also contains questions for female patients concerning matters that may affect the MR
examination. Pregnant patients must be identified before they are permitted to undergo an MR procedure.
A physician should carefully compare and discuss the risks and benefits of the MR examination versus
alternative procedures before scanning to control risk to the patient.

Hazardous items checklist

The Hazardous Items Checklist, in section 2 of a patient screening form, is valuable in identifying various
implants and devices that may be hazardous to the patient undergoing the MR examination. Items that may
produce image artifacts, can also be detected through this section of the screening process.
Some patients, including those suffering from forms of dementia, may not be aware of having a
pacemaker. On such patients, palpate the upper torso and abdomen to make sure no pacemaker is
present. Pacemakers may be implanted in any of several locations in the chest and abdomen. Pacemaker
lead wires are sometimes left in place after removal of the pacing mechanism. The wires can induce
current, producing heat during the MR procedure. Therefore, checking for lead wires is also important.
The best way to ensure a metal-free environment is to have patients change into patient examination
attire. The checklist also includes items the patient may externally possess. Do not limit your inspection to
only ferrous objects alone. Even non-ferrous items, such as gold jewelry, can heat during a scan and burn a

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patient. Make sure the patient removes all of these objects. In addition, be sure to check small children for
safety pins and snaps on diapers or undershirts.
Section 2 of a form also contains an anatomical figure of the human body for patients to mark the location
of objects they have inside or on their body. This information can be useful in determining the approximate
area of objects that may be hazardous or produce artifacts.

Magnet room pre-entry checklist

The last section of a screening form lists metal or magnetic-sensitive items with which the patient can not
enter the magnet room. Ensure the patient removes the checked items prior to magnet room entry. Also
obtain signatures to document the person who completed and reviewed the screening form.

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MR compatibility
Review the following information related to spatial magnetic field data:

Contraindications for use

Spatial magnetic field data

A device is labeled as MR Conditional if it has been demonstrated to pose no known hazards in a specified
MR environment with specified conditions of use. Field conditions that define the MR environment include
static magnetic field strength, static spatial gradient, time rate of change of the magnetic field (dB/dt), RF
fields, specific absorption rate (SAR), and coil to be used. Additional conditions, including specific
configurations of the item (e.g., the routing of leads used for a neurostimulation system), may be required.

WARNING
The attractive force of the magnetic field of the MR system can cause ferrous objects to become
projectiles, which can cause serious injury. Post the Security Zone warning sign on the entrance to
the magnet room and keep all hazardous objects out of the magnet room.

WARNING
GE shall not be responsible for assessing the proper function of any device. The user of the device
must consult the device manufacturer to ensure the device is MR Safe or MR Conditional. Then the
user must ensure the MR Conditions are met. Finally, the user must determine what is appropriate.

DANGER
Devices compatible at one field strength, such as 1.5T, may not be compatible at another field
strength, such as 3.0T. Prior to patient scanning, confirm with the device manufacturer that the
device is compatible at your field strength.

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Patient emergencies
You must become very familiar with the location and proper use of certain emergency buttons and releases
should an emergency occur in the MR environment. Advanced planning and being accustomed to your site’s
procedures and surroundings are necessary to ensure a safe environment.
Before you begin any scanning procedure, explain the use of the Patient Alert System to your patient. Make
sure he or she understands its purpose and use. Remember that implants, pacemakers, and ferromagnetic
life-support systems cannot be brought into the magnet room.*
Be sure to closely monitor patients with a increased potential for cardiac arrest or claustrophobia, or
patients who are unconscious or extremely ill. Always maintain visual contact with the patient. Be familiar
with your site’s predetermined location outside the magnet room where you can transfer patients if it
becomes necessary for emergency personnel to intervene.
The figure below displays a general layout of an MR magnet room. You should always be able to maintain
visual contact with your patient from the operator’s console.
*In general, patients with conductive (e.g. metallic) implants are contraindicated for MR scans. Some
implantable devices have been labeled as MR Conditional under certain operating conditions. MR Safe
implants will have the MR Safe symbol in their implant documentation.
When evaluating whether to proceed with MR scanning on patients with such implants, consult the
implantable device’s labeling.
Figure 2-28: Magnet room layout

Table 2-43: Magnet room layout image legend

# Description
1 Magnet and magnet enclosure
2 Oxygen monitor remote sensor (optional)
3 Emergency magnet rundown
4 Operator's console

Emergency medical procedures

Your site should define and implement specific procedures to follow in case of a medical emergency. These
procedures should take account of the existence of the magnetic field. For example, they should instruct
how to use the Table Transport Emergency Release to remove a patient rapidly from the magnet's
influence. Other product features useful in an emergency are described on the pages following.

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PATIENT EMERGENCIES

Patient alert system

Your MR system has a Patient Alert system that enables the patient to alert you at the console by squeezing
a bulb.
Figure 2-29: Patient alert system

Table 2-44: Patient alert system image legend

# Description
1 Patient alert bulb
2 Control box

Squeezing the Patient Alert bulb causes the control box to light up and emit an audible signal. A switch on
the control box allows you to set the signal for intermittent or constant light and sound.
Your MR system also has an intercom system that enables you to maintain verbal contact with the patient
throughout the examination.

CAUTION
Provide all patients with the Patient Alert bulb. This can be especially important for procedures that
require the concerted attention of the technologist/operator at the MR or Advantage Workstation
(AW) operator console, e.g., BrainWave sequences.

CAUTION
THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS NATURAL RUBBER LATEX WHICH MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTIONS.
The black Patient Alert bulb and the Respiratory bellows contain latex. If the patient is aware of a
sensitivity/allergy to latex or if the patient is unsure and concerned about the possibility of an
allergic reaction, cover the bulb or the bellows with a towel, cloth, or plastic bag to shield the
patient from the latex.
The gray Patient Alert bulb is made of PVC and does not contain natural rubber latex.

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Emergency stop
The Emergency Stop button is located on the keyboard and on both the right and left sides of the magnet
enclosure. This function cuts off electrical power from equipment located in the magnet room that may
present a hazard to the patient in an emergency situation.
You can press the Emergency Stop button to stop a scan in a patient emergency situation. To quickly
recover from an Emergency Stop situation, you can press the Reset button. You should not be afraid to
press the Emergency Stop button because it may shut the system down for an extended length of time. This
is not required to shut down the magnet coldhead.
Figure 2-30: Emergency Stop button

The Emergency Stop button disables the following systems:

RF
Gradient power supply
Magnet room unit
Table and patient support subsystem

WARNING
The Emergency Stop button does not remove the magnetic field, turn off the computer cabinets,
operator’s console, or camera.

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Emergency off
The Emergency Off button is located on the wall next to all computer equipment and next to the MR magnet
room doors. It removes ALL electrical power from ALL components of the system, including any power
sources from uninterrupted power supply (UPS) devices.
The Emergency Off button not only stops a scan in a patient emergency, but also in the event of a serious
equipment fault or hazards such as fire/water in the vicinity of the MR equipment. The entire MR system is
to be turned OFF except for the static magnetic field and the magnet rundown unit used to shut down the
magnetic field.
Figure 2-31: Emergency Off button

Use this button only in a major emergency in the computer or MR magnet room. For example, use this
button when you notice fire, sparks, or loud noises not associated with normal operation of the system.

To restore power after emergency stop, the main circuit breaker must be reset before rebooting the
system. Always contact a service engineer before restoring power.

WARNING
The Emergency Off button does not turn off the magnetic field. To avoid personal injury or
equipment damage, do not bring any ferromagnetic equipment into the magnet room. Assume that
equipment is magnetic unless it is clearly labeled otherwise.

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PDU power off

The PDU Power Off button turns off power to system components other than the Magnet Rundown Unit,
cryogen compressor, scan room lights, chillers and magnet cryogen monitor. Typically, service uses this
power off switch and the MR customer does not.
Figure 2-32: PDU power off button

Figure 2-33: PDU power off button for value products

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PATIENT EMERGENCIES

Magnet rundown
The Magnet Rundown operates as follows and is located inside the magnet room:

Rapid reduction of the magnetic field in about two minutes

Boil-off of cryogens, accompanied by loud hissing sound
Several days of down time to replace the cryogens
Figure 2-34: Magnet rundown unit

WARNING
The Magnet Rundown should only be used to free someone pinned to the magnet or to remove a
large ferromagnetic object captured by the magnetic field when injury to persons is imminent. A
controlled magnet rundown should be performed by a GE Service Engineer in non-emergency
situations.

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Table transport emergency release

In an emergency, the patient cradle can be manually pulled out of the magnet. Refer to your specific product
operator manual for details on cradle emergency release.
On some systems, hold and rotate the release handle and then pull the cradle, to move the patient all the
way out to the home position. The figure below displays the cradle release handle on movable 1.5T and 3.0T
tables.
Figure 2-35: Cradle release handle, 1.5T and 3.0T tables

The figure below displays the cradle release handle on 0.7T OpenSpeed table.
Figure 2-36: Cradle release handle, 0.7T OpenSpeed tables

With a GEM system table, grasp the handle and squeeze the lever to pull the cradle to the end of the table.
Figure 2-37: Squeeze lever to pull cradle to end of table

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The patient table for Brivo MR355 System and one configuration of the table for Optima MR360
System are fixed tables, which means that the tables are permanently fixed to the magnet. Neither table
has docking pedals or an emergency table release lever. Therefore, it cannot be detached from the
magnet.
The Optima 360 detachable patient table can be lowered and raised. In the event that the patient needs
emergency medical treatment outside the scan room, the emergency table release lever and the undock
pedal are used to quickly move the patient and table outside the scan room.
With a Brivo MR355 or Optima 360 table, hold and rotate the release handle and then pull the cradle, to
move the patient all the way out to the home position.
Figure 2-38: Cradle release handle, 1.5T and 3.0T tables

Figure 2-39: Cradle label

The patient table of the OpenSpeed system is permanently fixed to the magnet system and has lateral
swing movement. A non-ferrous gurney should always be placed outside the magnet room for emergency
patient transportation.

CAUTION
The OpenSpeed table should only be swung with the patient off the table. If you are pivoting the
table for the examination, move the table prior to positioning your patient.
The 1.5T and 3.0T patient tables can be detached from the magnet system. The tables can also be lowered
and raised. In the event that a patient needs emergency medical attention during the scanning session, use
the undock pedal or the emergency table lever release for quick transportation of patients outside the
magnet room.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-97

Figure 2-40: Undock pedal at foot of table

Figure 2-41: Discover undock pedal at foot of table

The Table Transport Emergency Release is used in the event the undock pedal on the patient transport does
not function.
Figure 2-42: Table transport emergency release

Table 2-45: Transport emergency release image legend

# Description
1 Up/down pedals
2 Transport/emergency release lever
3 Up/down pedals

To release the transport with the emergency release:

2-98 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Make sure the cradle is fully retracted from the magnet bore at the home position.
Grasp the handle on the red lever and pull straight out to release the table.

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Scan and Display introduction

This section includes additional warnings and cautions for the following areas:

Scan and equipment

BrainWave paradigm
CD/DVD handling
Dielectric pads
IDEAL Imaging Option
IV pole
MR Conditional
MR-Touch
Multi-echo FGRE/FSPGR
Patient orientation
Patient transfer
Patient weight
Post-contrast scans
Prescan
Radiation oncology table top
GEM coil

Display or post processing

Add/Subtract images
Applications
VIBRANT Flex and LAVA Flex
Imaging Option
IDEAL
FuncTool
Volume Viewer
Annotation
Filter Floaters
Measurements
Reformat
Threshold

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Scan
This section contains additional scan warnings and cautions.

BrainWave paradigm

WARNING
When creating paradigms, if you do not create a unique paradigm number, paradigm string, and
paradigm name/filename, the Brainwave Hardware may fail to communicate with BrainWaveRT.
After editing paradigms, always be sure BrainWave communication with the clinical software is
intact.

CD/DVD handling

CAUTION
To avoid image loss, never touch the recording surface of a recordable CD (CD-R). Handle the disk
only by the outer edge or central hole. Do not place it face down on a hard surface. Fingerprints or
scratches will make the disk unusable.

Dielectric pads

CAUTION
Do not use the dielectric pads together with sharp objects. Refer to the Dielectric Material Safety
Data sheet for further information.

IDEAL Imaging Option

CAUTION
Make sure that the FOV includes all anatomy. Phase wrap will cause water/fat signal swap.

IV pole

Pinch Point CAUTION

Do not move the patient into the magnet with the MR table's IV pole in use. To avoid any pinch
points from the MR table's IV pole, remove the IV pole from the table, store it, and use a non-ferrous
free standing IV pole.

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MR Conditional

WARNING
Susceptibility artifacts, such as those related to MR Conditional metal implants, will result in
incorrect 3D Geometry Correction. Please carefully verify images.

WARNING
If the calibration scan covers a region containing MR Conditional metal implants, the calibration
images are expected to have distortion and signal void artifacts. Therefore, PURE and ASSET images
that have MR Conditional metal present should not be used for post processing.

WARNING
FuncTool fusion does not function reliably if MR Conditional metal implants are present and a
reference image other than the original image is used. FuncTool Fusion should not be applied on
series if the image area includes MR Conditional metal implants. Strong B0 and B1 distortion caused
by MR Conditional metal implants will cause image distortion and signal void in images. Reference
images may have different level of distortion (e.g., MAVRIC SL versus non-MAVRIC SL) with functional
series, and mis-registration will occur.

WARNING
Due to the strong magnetic field disturbance in a region containing metal, do not use the RF Drive
Mode parameter: Optimized.

WARNING
Do not use the PURE1 image filter when acquiring scans in the vicinity of metallic implants or
devices. Signal distortion effects are not predictable and will result in incorrect images.

1Phased array UnifoRmity Enhancement

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MR-Touch

CAUTION
When setting up an MR-Touch exam, to avoid entanglement of the Patient Driver tube with the
patient's neck, always orient the driver so that the tube is routed towards the patient's feet.

CAUTION
MR Touch has only been evaluated for use on adults. There is insufficient information to establish
the safety and effectiveness of MR Touch for use on pediatric patients.

WARNING
Never place the active acoustic driver in the magnet scan room.

WARNING
To avoid tripping over the tubing, route the tubing on the side of the table that is opposite the scan
room door.

Coil CAUTION
There is a potential hazard of crossing or looping coil cables that may exist, which will or can cause
minor personal injury or property damage if the instructions are ignored.

Multi-echo FGRE/FSPGR

CAUTION
Measurement of relaxation time by Multi-Echo FGRE/FSPGR is very sensitive to the result of
gradient shim (Auto-Shim) in the slice direction. Auto-Shim with shim-volume setting is
recommended.

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CAUTION
It is possible that FuncTool results of the calculated T2* and R2* values have an error with
acquisitions that have a large slice number value

Patient orientation

WARNING
Ensure that the Patient Position selection matches the actual patient orientation. Making a selection
that does not match the patient’s actual position results in incorrectly annotated and/or rotated
images, possibly resulting in improper medical treatment.

Patient transfer

CAUTION
The arm boards are not to be used as a seat or shelf. The arm board is not designed as a weight
bearing device and there is a possibility for failure and the patient or load falling.
.

CAUTION
Following the exam, your patient may need assistance when getting off the table. After lying in a
prone position for a length of time, your patient may experience lightheadedness upon sitting up.

Patient weight

CAUTION
The patient’s weight determines the SAR. Entering a weight more than the actual patient weight
could potentially harm the patient. Patient weight is not pulled with the other patient information
from the ConnectPro worklist. You must manually enter the weight.

Post-contrast scans

WARNING
Do not use BRAVO to image a post contrast series. If the T1 shortening of contrast corresponds to
the null point of an enhancing lesion, contrast enhancement will be suppressed.

WARNING
Do not use 3D IR-Prep SPGR to image a post contrast series. If the T1 shortening of contrast
corresponds to the null point of an enhancing lesion, contrast enhancement will be suppressed.

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Prescan

CAUTION
Auto prescan is used to calibrate the flip angle and to accurately estimate SAR levels. Do not
manually adjust the transmit gain for GRE, SPGR, FGRE, FSPGR and FIESTA scans since excessive
SAR may result if the TG is set too high. Using Auto prescan rather than manual prescan insures
that accurate SAR limits are used.

Radiation oncology table tops

Pinch Point CAUTION

Do not use the arm boards at a height above horizontal. Due to the increased width needed for the
flat top and lok-bar, there is a possibility for collision and a pinch hazard if the arm boards are used
above the horizontal plane.

CAUTION
Do not use the coil positioning braces for a hand hold when getting the patient on the table, or as a
handle for moving the table around. This feature is not designed as a weight bearing device, and
could fall or break.

Pinch Point CAUTION

When moving the Express GEM cradle in and out of the magnet bore, keep the patient’s and your
hands away from pinch points. Place the patient's hands on the top of the thighs or above the head
to avoid pinch points during positioning.

GEM coil

CAUTION
Never use an incompatible legacy coil with the GEM table. The curved bottom of the coil placed on
the flat surface of the GEM table can lead to patient injury.

CAUTION
When using the AA with the PVA in a feet-first orientation, be sure to run the AA cable over the
center housing of the PVA, pull it taut, and secure it to the PVA clip to prevent the AA cable from
becoming warm.

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CAUTION
The Anterior Array may not fit in the bore on patients with large torsos. To avoid injuring the patient
or damaging the coil, watch carefully as the table moves into the bore. Stop advancing the table if
the Anterior Array comes into contact with the top of the bore.

CAUTION
Do not carry any of the coil components by the cable. Damage to the coil component may occur. The
coil may not work if damaged.

CAUTION
The coil contains sensitive electronic components that may become damaged. Do not spray or pour
cleaning solution directly onto the coil. Do not submerge the coil in any solution. Under no
circumstances should the coil be placed into any type of sterilizer.

CAUTION
Do not place a coil directly on the table surface over the GEM PA area. Be certain that the pads are
on the table before using a coil. For example, only place the wrist coil on the table surface with the
pads in place. Placing a coil directly on the PA area of the GEM table results in coil-to-coil contact,
which can result in poor image quality.

CAUTION
RF can cause localized anterior coil warming when it is positioned close to the top of the bore. Place
non-conductive padding between the coil and the bore in order to keep the coil positioned away
from the bore wall.

CAUTION
Ensure that no hair or fabric is caught between the components. Failure to comply may cause
artifacts and decreased image quality.

CAUTION
Do not pick up or carry the Head Component by the mirror attachment. To avoid damaging the coil,
pick up and carry the Head Component using two hands on the bottom of the coil.

CAUTION
Users should place a service call any time the coil is dropped or mishandled. A GE Service
Representative should inspect the coil after it has been dropped or mishandled to ensure it is safe
to use.

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CAUTION
Looped cables may cause RF coupling and degrade the scan performance of the coil. Do not cross
or loop cables.

Pinch Point CAUTION

To avoid injuring the patient or damaging the coil, watch carefully for pinch points as the table
moves into the bore. Stop advancing the table if the patient or any part of the coil comes into
contact with the bore.

WARNING
Do not use accessories (e.g. pads or straps) that have not been specifically tested and approved for
use in the MR environment. Use of non-approved accessories may result in patient burns or injuries
or image degradation. Even auxiliary devices labeled as compatible with MR equipment are
capable of causing injury if the manufacturer's instructions are not followed.

WARNING
Electric shock may occur if the coil is attached to the system during cleaning or when it is still wet.
Detach coil connector from the scanner before attempting to clean the coil. Do not touch
connectors with bare fingers. Never press sharp objects against connector surface. Do not
reattach connector after cleaning until the coil has dried completely.

WARNING
Electric shock hazard. No user serviceable parts. Refer service to qualified service personnel.

WARNING
All coil components must be plugged in when they are in the scanner. This includes coil
components that should be plugged into the system and coil components that should be plugged
into another coil component. Leaving components unplugged can damage the coil, or cause harm
to the patient.

WARNING
Do not allow the coil cables to touch the patient. Use a thermal resistant material or pad to keep
the cable from touching the patient. Failure to comply may cause patient burns.

WARNING
Prior to patient placement in the coil, assure that any breached or compromised patient skin
surfaces that come in contact with the coil have been adequately bandaged or covered.

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Display
This section contains additional warnings and cautions related to image display and post processing.

Add/Subtract images

CAUTION
Since “COMB” series contain images resulting from a combination of images from different
locations in the patient’s body, the absolute anatomical coordinates accompanying these series
(shown both in the Browser and on the displayed images) are not accurate. Only relative geometric
measurements (i.e. distance, angle, or area) are accurate.

Applications

VIBRANT, VIBRANT-Flex and LAVA-Flex

CAUTION
Images labeled as water may include signal from fatty tissue, and images labeled as fat may
include signal from water. This error may occur in regions of high magnetic field variation, in
spatially isolated tissue, due to patient or tissue motion, due to phase wrap artifacts, due to
TE values beyond recommended limits, and/or in images with low signal-to-noise ratios. The
presence of fat tissue in images labeled as water, or vice versa, may occur within single images or
throughout an in entire stack of slices. By default, both sets of images (labeled fat and labeled
water) will be reconstructed and inserted into the database for review. Proper calibration and
center frequency selection will reduce the occurrence of this error. Complete elimination of this
error may not be possible and thus interpretation of MR images must be completed by trained
personnel.

WARNING
It is possible that a spatial distortion can be seen on 3D data sets, especially in the lateral-most
VIBRANT images. The distortion can be demonstrated in sagittal versus axial data sets. There is a
potential risk for lesion localization misregistration during biopsy procedures, which could result in
a re-biopsy of the patient.

Imaging Option

IDEAL

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both sets of images (labeled fat and labeled water) will be reconstructed and inserted into the
database for review. Proper calibration and center frequency selection will reduce the occurrence
of this error. Complete elimination of this error may not be possible and thus interpretation of MR
images must be completed by trained personnel.

FuncTool

CAUTION
Care should be taken when using quantitative measures of cerebral blood flow from 3DASL in
clinical populations. Differences in CBF values may be seen when the same subject is scanned on
different systems and coils. Diagnostic and treatment decisions should not be based solely on
these absolute values.

WARNING
Do not use 3D views only to perform voxel value, distance, angle, or area measurements. Always
refer to 2D baseline views.

CAUTION
Diffusion Tensor images attempt to characterize behavior of water molecules in imaged tissue.
Therefore, fiber tracking representation actually displays algorithmically predicted water molecule
direction. These displays may be only representative of the actual white matter anatomy. A trained
neuro radiologist is required to make the association between the rendered tract display and the
actual patient’s anatomy.

CAUTION
Failure to place the ROI as described will negatively impact the output measurement.

CAUTION
Always click Compute again to re–compute the functional maps after making changes to the input
parameters. The changes are not taken into account automatically.

WARNING
Under no circumstances should the pixel value from saved functional maps be used by any
software applications that rely on Hounsfield values. This applies, in particular, to dose computation
software applications.

CAUTION
It is possible that FuncTool results of the calculated T2* and R2* values have an error with
acquisitions that have a large slice number value

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Volume Viewer

Annotation

CAUTION
When saving images for diagnostic purposes, always make sure the patient name is displayed on
all views.

Filter floaters

WARNING
Floater filtering removes all 3D objects from the displayed 3D volume that have a size equal to or
smaller than the selected filter size. Before applying a filter, make sure that the selected filter size
will not result in removing pathologies or other essential anatomical structures.

Measurements

CAUTION
Measurements are more reliable when done on 2D views. Always check on the 2D reformatted
views where exactly the points have been deposited.

CAUTION
Post processing results may be affected by the presence of MR Conditional implants. Consider the
following related to post-processing MAVRIC SL images on your MR1, PACS2 or AW3 systems:
If an image includes susceptibility artifact, such as from MR Conditional metal implants,
measurements made on the image may be incorrect due to distortion of actual physical locations.

CAUTION
Distance, angle, and area measurements are valid only if all trace segments are longer than the
inter-slice distance.

1Magnetic Resonance. The absorption or emission of electromagnetic energy by nuclei in

a static magnetic field after excitation by a suitable RF pulse.
2Picture Archiving Communications System
3Advantage Workstation

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Reformat

WARNING
A curved VOI can introduce distortion in the shape of objects. To prevent misinterpretation of the
shape of an object, always verify the cursor position by correlation with the baseline and
reformatted views.

Threshold

WARNING
The use of thresholding for the building of the 3D model excludes all voxel values outside the
selected range from the 3D model. Before applying the threshold(s), make sure that the selected
threshold settings will not result in removing pathologies or other essential anatomical structures
from the 3D model.

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System maintenance
Maintaining a controlled environment also involves routine preventative maintenance checks by the service
engineer and site personnel. Careful planning and diligent upkeep of an MR facility can provide a safe
environment for both patients and employees. Your system requires maintenance at specific service
intervals in which many of the maintenance checks should be performed by a qualified service engineer.
There are several checks you can perform. Be aware of required maintenance and the personnel
responsible for meeting each requirement.
After-sale service of MR systems under GE warranty or service-contract shall be done by GE engineers or
GE-assigned qualified people.
GE makes available, on request, such information as circuit diagrams and component lists to assist your
technical personnel in the repair of equipment classified by GE as repairable. Where there are no user
serviceable parts, adhere to this warning and refer service to qualified service personnel.

WARNING
Electric shock hazard. No user serviceable parts. Refer service to qualified service personnel.

WARNING
When installing and maintaining the products, follow lockout and tagout procedures, and adhere to
MR safety requirements, high voltage and radio frequency prevention requirements. If these
instructions are ignored, damage to the equipment and patient/personnel injury can result.

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SY ST E M M A INT E NA NC E

General cleaning
Background cleaning should be done by site personnel (e.g., technologists or housekeeping personnel)
unless otherwise indicated in the following maintenance schedules.

Inspect pads for peeling or cracking. To prevent a biohazard, replace cracked or peeling pads before
using.
Cleaning tips:

To clean most accessories, use nothing stronger than alcohol or a mild soap-and-water solution.
Use hydrogen peroxide to remove bloodstains.
Open-cell sponges are coated with canvas to allow better durability and reliability. These sponge
covers allow disinfection using only a 1:10–1:100 water dilution of 5.25%–6.15% sodium
hypochlorite (common household bleach). Bleach concentrations greater than 10% or other
disinfectants may discolor or compromise the fabric.

CAUTION
To avoid possible damage to equipment, do not use solutions containing amines, strong alkalis,
esters, iodine, aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbons, or ketones. Do not use autoclaves or the
industrial washers and dryers found in most hospitals or professional laundry services.

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Exhaust fan
The magnet (RF-shielded) room exhaust fan, vent, and duct system are intended to evacuate the magnet
room of cryogenic gas at the MR product specified rate. Over time, the exhaust fan system may become
blocked with lint, hair, and other air-borne particles. It is important for personnel safety reasons that the
exhaust fan system (vent, exhaust fan, ducts, etc.) be kept clean to make sure the exhaust fan system
operates properly and exhausts cryogenic gas to an outside area.
In the unlikely event of a magnet quench or a cryogen gas leak, it is important that this exhaust fan system
performs at or above the specified airflow to remove the cryogen gas from the magnet room. The magnet
room exhaust fan and air inlet must be sized for a minimum of 1200 CFM (34 m3/minute) and minimum of
room 12 air exchanges per hour. The minimum air flow and air exchange rate for mobile, transportable, and
relocatable systems are different from those for fixed sites and varies depending on the type of site. Any
blockage or obstruction could prevent the exhaust fan system from providing the required airflow. If the
exhaust fan system fails to operate at or above specification, accumulation of dangerous levels of helium or
nitrogen within the RF screen room could occur.
It is important that this exhaust system vent be cleaned regularly as part of the normal room cleaning.
Regular customer inspection, cleaning, and testing of the exhaust fan system (vent, exhaust fan, ducts, etc.)
are needed to make sure all equipment and parts of the system are always in good working order and able
to perform to specification. It is recommended the exhaust fan system be cleaned and inspected annually to
make sure the specified air flow rate can be met and thus ensures proper performance.

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Maintenance services
The planned maintenance (PM1) services prescribed in the PM schedules represent the current
manufacturer's recommendations. Specific customer requirements and/or your site environment may
necessitate more or less frequent intervals for PM service. An agreement to perform PMs less frequently
than these recommendations can be made with the understanding that a reduction of system performance
may result.
The PM service schedules in the Maintenance Service Schedules, list all the PM procedures and the
frequency they should be completed by qualified service personnel. There are different schedules for each
system type.
You should perform the maintenance services shown in the table below.
Table 2-46: Operator services

Service
Item Required maintenance
interval
General Clean 4 months
Check the table emergency release. 4 months
Patient cradle
Check for cleanliness of pads and clean the inside of the cradle. Daily
and pads
Patient table Check the table alignment and proper operation. 6 months
Coils, pads, and Clean with non-abrasive cleanser. Clean coil anti-skid pads with water
Daily
straps and mild detergent only.
Coils and coil
Check for defects or damage, worn cable or exposed wires. Daily
cables
As
Image quality Perform quality assurance and functional checks.
recommended

1Planned Maintenance

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Magnet Rundown Unit test procedure

Use the following steps every week to test the Magnetic Rundown Unit. If any test fails, immediately contact
your service engineer.
Figure 2-43: Magnet Rundown Unit

Table 2-47: Image legend

#
1 TEST HEATER switch
2 TEST HEATER LED button
3 HEATER TEST light
4 CHARGER POWER LED
5 BATTERY TEST LED
6 TEST BATTERY button
7 HEATER ACTUATED LED
8 RUNDOWN button

1. Verify that the green CHARGER POWER LED (4) is illuminated.

If test 1 fails, the MRU has only 11 days until it won’t be able to quench the magnet when
needed. If the Charger light is not illuminated, immediately call GE Service to schedule service

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repair.

2. Depress and hold the TEST BATTERY button (6) for 15 seconds. The green BATTERY TEST LED (5)
should light and remain lit while the TEST BATTERY switch is depressed.

If test #2 fails, you cannot quench the magnet when needed. Immediately call your service
engineer.

3. Place the TEST HEATER toggle switch (1) in the A position. The green HEATER TEST (3) should
illuminate.

If, when the TEST HEATER toggle switch is in either the A or B position and HEATER TEST (3) does
not illuminate, then press the TEST HEATER LED button (2) to verify HEATER TEST (3) is functional.

If test #3 fails, you may not be able to quench the magnet when needed. Immediately call
your service engineer.
4. Place the TEST HEATER toggle switch (1) in the B position. The green HEATER TEST (3) should
illuminate.

If test #4 fails, you may not be able to quench the magnet when needed. Immediately call
your service engineer.

Magnet quench
Pressing the big red RUNDOWN button (8) at any time will quench the magnet. Do not press the big red
RUNDOWN button unless you want to quench the magnet.

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Procedures introduction
This section provides the step-by-step instructions for working safely in a magnetic field environment.
Specifically, it describes how to:

Eliminate Magnet Hazards

Protect the security and exclusion zones
Screen patients and personnel
Prepare the patient
Protect the patient from RF burns
Protect the patient’s eyes and ears
Respond to Emergencies
Patient emergencies
Equipment or environmental emergencies
Magnet emergencies
Quench with vent failure
Check the Cryogen Levels
Systems with a helium level meter
Systems with a magnet monitor unit
Handle contact with liquid cryogens

IMPORTANT!: You should understand the following definitions before continuing:

A substance that is ferromagnetic has a large positive magnetic susceptibility, meaning it is very
easily magnetized (example: Iron).
An item that is ferrous can posses intrinsic magnetic fields and become a projectile in an applied
magnetic field (examples: Iron, nickel, and cobalt).

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PR OCEDU R ES

Protect the security and exclusion zones

It is vital to have supervised and controlled access within the MR environment to keep it safe from
ferromagnetic items and to guard against accidents, injuries, or damage to MR systems. Keep in mind that
even a paperclip inside the bore of the magnet can cause image artifacts or a patient burn. All personnel
should be aware of the following important steps.

1. Keep the door to the MR environment and the magnet door closed.

The doors should not be held open for other people or propped open.
Only essential personnel should be allowed to enter the magnet room.

2. Limit and monitor access to the MR environment and magnet room.

Personnel trained in MR safety should be present at all times during the operation of your MR
facility to ensure that no unaccompanied or unauthorized individuals are allowed to enter the MR
environment or magnet room.
Personnel trained in MR safety are also responsible for performing thorough screening of
patients and other individuals before allowing them to enter the magnet room.

3. Supervise non-MR personnel when working in the magnet room.

Everyone who needs to enter the MR environment on a regular or periodic basis should be
educated regarding the potential hazards related to the magnetic field.

4. Prominently display the Security and Exclusion Zone warning signs to make all individuals and
patients aware of the risks associated with the MR system.

The Security Zone sign must be posted on the entrance to the magnet room.*
These signs warn patients about the strong magnetic field and stresses the presence that no
pacemakers, metallic implants, neurostimulators, or loose objects are allowed.
The Exclusion Zone sign must be posted at the 5 gauss boundary.*
This sign warns against the strong magnetic field and stresses the presence of no
pacemakers, metallic implants, or neurostimulators.

5. Test all items for ferromagnetic properties before taking them into the magnet room.

Use a hand magnet to test items.

6. Remove ferrous items from the immediate vicinity of the magnet room.

This can reduce the chance that someone might carry a ferrous item into the magnet room.
Replace ferrous items that must remain in the vicinity of the magnet room with non-ferrous
versions whenever possible.

7. Tag ferrous items that remain at the facility so that all personnel know the item cannot be taken into
the magnet room.

Tag all ferrous items with the same label to be consistent in identifying items that are not to be in
the magnet room.

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8. Do a pocket check before entering the magnet room.

Check for loose metal objects, such as keys, and remove.

9. Keep the magnet door in sight at all times.

When working in the magnet room, do not stand between the door and the magnet or turn your
back to the door.

10. Do not turn your back on the patient or anyone else in the magnet room.

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Screen patients and personnel

For your safety and the safety of the patient, an MR safety-trained health care worker at your facility should
carefully screen for hazards before patients and personnel enter the Exclusion Zone. All personnel must be
aware of and comply with your facility’s screening procedure.

WARNING
Patient screening is required for patients who are going to be imaged on an MR scanner.

1. Use a Patient Screening form routinely before bringing patients or other personnel into the
Exclusion Zone.

Thoroughly review all safety information and considerations before starting a scan with patients
that have an MR Conditional implant. In general, patients with conductive (e.g. metallic) implants
are contraindicated for MR scans. For patients with implants that are labeled as MR Safe or MR
Conditional consult the implant device manufacturer's documentation.
Every patient, individual, and employee must be carefully screened prior to admission to the
magnetic field. Refer to the Screening form topic.

2. Review the completed screening form and evaluate the individual prior to entry.

Identify circumstances that contraindicate admission to the Exclusion Zone or items that need to
be removed before entering the Security Zone.
In addition to safety issues, metal objects or materials containing metal may distort the magnetic
field and detract from the image quality.

3. Discuss the items on the screening form with the patient or other individual.

Verbally interview the patient to verify the information on the form and ensure the patient
understands each question he/she is answering.
Allow discussion of any question or concern that the patient may have.

4. Examine all patients with diapers or incontinence products, including adults, should have dry diapers
on prior to the start of the scan.
5. Examine or X-Ray patients who are at risk for metal eye slivers.

Serious injury may occur as a result of movement or heating of the metallic foreign body as it is
attracted by the magnetic field of the MR system.
Follow your departmental clinical screening policy.

6. Require that patients change clothes.

Provide clothes without metallic fasteners and pockets.

Patients should not wear shoes into the magnet room as they may have collected metal on the
soles.

7. Instruct the patient to wash off non-permanent make-up.

Follow the precautions for patients with permanent make-up such as permanent eyeliner, which
can cause tissue heating.

8. Keep metal out of the bore.*

A metal-free bore prevents burns and image artifacts.

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Prepare the patient

Some patients undergoing an MR procedure may experience feelings of fear, anxiety, or claustrophobia.
The following techniques may help reduce or eliminate these sentiments. Use the following techniques for
all patients, even if your patient does not exhibit signs of fear or claustrophobia. Larger patients can feel
anxious due to a confined feeling in the magnet. Degradation of image quality can also occur. Verify that
the patient’s weight does not exceed the table weight limit as defined in your MR system's documentation.
Consult your system operator manual for details.

1. For safety reasons, patients must be thoroughly screened prior to scan preparation.
Screen for pertinent medical history and conditions that contraindicate scanning.
If proper screening cannot be performed, postpone the MR examination until screening can be
done.
Review Contraindications for use before scanning the patient.
2. Determine scan protocol and enter the patient’s information in advance.
This saves time during the preparation for the procedure so the patient is not left waiting for the
examination to begin.
3. Provide the patient an information booklet to read.
Educating the patient concerning specific aspects of the MR examination is an effective way to
prepare for the situation and explain what is about to happen.
4. Have the patient use the restroom prior to the examination.
Fewer interruptions during the scanning procedure can help you stay on schedule and keep the
patient focused on holding still during the examination.
5. Examine all patients with diapers or incontinence products, including adults, to make sure the
patient has dry diapers and dry clothing on prior to the start of the scan.
6. Discuss the procedure with the patient.
The length of the examination
What can be seen during the examination
What can be heard during the examination
What can be felt during the examination
7. Transfer the patient to the MR table.
Refer to your specific MR system operator manual for patient transfer details.

CAUTION
Position the patient's limbs, hair, and clothes completely on the table to avoid risk of injury when the
table is moving.

8. If the patient was transported into the magnet room via the MR table and the IV pole connected to
the table is in use, once the table is docked, replace the MR table’s IV pole with a non-ferrous free-
standing IV pole.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-123

Pinch Point CAUTION

Do not move the patient into the magnet with the MR table's IV pole in use. To avoid any pinch points
from the MR table's IV pole, remove the IV pole from the table, store it, and use a non-ferrous free
standing IV pole.

9. Let the patient see the MR system while you explain the features of the bore.

Soft lighting
Good ventilation
A microphone and speaker to enable the patient to hear and be heard at all times

10. Demonstrate the use and function of the Patient Alert System.

This system is patient-activated and allow the patient to signal for assistance during a scan.

11. Explain the use of straps. See your system operator manual for details.

12. Ensure the patient is comfortable.

Use sponges and wedges to relieve pressure points and support the body in the correct position.
Ask if a blanket is needed while being aware that once the scan begins, a blanket may increase
patient warming.

13. Explain the need for hearing protection.

Use recommended earplugs (>/= 29dB NRR) to minimize the noise from the gradient magnetic
field.
Alternatively, use recommended MR-compatible headphones (>/= 29dB NRR) to provide relaxing
music to the patient and minimize the noise.

14. Stress the need for cooperation to attain a diagnostic study.

It is extremely important the patient not move during the examination.

15. Stay in constant verbal and visual communication with the patient throughout the examination.

Some patients may require the physical presence of an family member or nurse in the magnet
room.

16. See the following procedures for details regarding:

Protect the patient from RF burns

Protect patient's eyes and ears
Patient emergencies

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Protect the patient from RF burns

All personnel should be aware of several factors to protect a patient from burns and peripheral nerve
stimulation. The following steps should be observed by all personnel that position patients for scanning.

1. Remove any accessory devices from the bore of the magnet that are not required for the procedure.

This includes any unplugged electrically conductive materials such as surface coils, cables, etc.

2. Examine all patients with diapers or incontinence products, including adults, to make sure the
patient has dry diapers on prior to the start of the scan.
3. Position the patient to prevent direct contact between the patient's skin and the bore of the magnet
or an RF surface coil.

Before connecting halves of a split coil, take care that the patient's body (for example, ear, jowl,
neck, finger, hand, etc.) is not trapped or pinched by coil parts.
Figure 2-44: Patient positioned with non-conducting pads (1)

Use additional pads to immobilize the patient and make them comfortable.
Preventing patient warming is one of the most important safety measures you must take into
consideration as you prepare a patient for an MR exam. Appropriate RF padding and proper
patient positioning are the most effective means of preventing injury related to RF heating. The
following are a few golden rules to remember as you position and pad your patients:
Only use GE-approved RF padding.
Use non-conductive padding that is at least 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) thick between the patient's
skin and the magnet bore.
Appropriate padding must be used EVERY time without exception
Sheets and gowns are not a substitute for approved RF padding.
Never allow your patient’s skin to come in direct contact with the scanner bore or any surface
coil or cable.
Never allow skin-to-skin contact.
If a patient does not fit in the MR scanner bore with the required padding, another modality
should be used to scan the patient.
While some of these rules may seem a little tough to follow at times, remember that RF injury,
which can in extreme cases include burns such as the one you see below, can happen very
quickly and your patient may not have time to warn you in time to prevent an injury.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-125

Patient padding
Figure 2-45: Elbow RF burn

The following are a tips that will assist you in properly positioning and applying RF padding to your
patients. Should you need more information on prevention of patient warming than what is
provided here, refer to your surface coil and refer to Tissue Heating in this manual. If you need
help beyond the documentation please do not hesitate to reach out to your local Applications
Specialists.

Whole body padding

Although the photos are from a Discovery system, the safety padding guidelines apply to all MR systems.

An important consideration when padding your patients is that you will need to double check
the position of the pads once the patient is in the bore. Table movement may dislodge padding
and expose skin to the scanner bore.
Figure 2-46: Padding between patient and bore. 1 = bore pads

Notice that padding is positioned not only at the patient’s sides to prevent their arms from
touching the bore, but that padding is also placed between the hands and thighs and between
knees and ankles to prevent forming conductive loops.

2-126 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Figure 2-47: Patient padding

Surface coil padding

Although the photos are from a Discovery system, the safety padding guidelines apply to all MR systems.

Padding with a surface coil presents different challenges from a patient RF padding perspective.
First rule of thumb is to remember to use all manufacturer provided padding to prevent
motion and the patient’s skin from coming in contact with the coil, and to also use additional
padding if appropriate to secure an opposing extremity to prevent contact with the coil which
could also lead to burns or motion artifacts.
Just as with the whole body RF padding demonstration, you’ll need to make certain that the
patient’s skin does not come into contact with the scanner bore and that padding is placed
between the hands and thighs to prevent conductive loops.
Figure 2-48: Extremity padding

A final safety consideration for surface coils is to ensure that the patient does not come into
contact with the coil cable, therefore you may need to use additional RF padding to protect the
patient.
Care should also be taken to ensure the cable is not looped in the bore and that it is routed
down the center of the scanner bore.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-127

Figure 2-49: Coil cable with no loop

Cardiac coil padding

Although the photos are from a Discovery system, the safety padding guidelines apply to all MR systems.

Follow your basic padding recommendations to prevent contact with the scanner bore and
prevent conductive anatomical loops, but there are a couple of additional steps you’ll need to take
to ensure patient safety
The cardiac coil does not require additional RF padding to be placed between the patient and
the anterior coil component, but you should use the manufacturers pad on the posterior
component of the coil for patient RF protection. You should also cover the patient with their
gown before placing the anterior component of the coil and make certain both the anterior
and posterior elements are in alignment.
Figure 2-50: 1 = coil pad aligned with coil, 2 = sheet to cover pad, 3 = anterior and posterior coil elements aligned

Secure the coil snugly, but comfortably with the straps.

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Figure 2-51: Coil secured with straps

As is the case of all surface coils ensure that the cables do not come in contact with the
patient and that they are not looped and routed down the center of the bore. As you can see
there is significantly more cable that we need to isolate from the patient, so be sure to use as
much padding as needed.
Figure 2-52: 1 = Pad placed between cable and patient skin

If you are using the cardiac coil, it’s likely you are also using the ECG leads and cable. The
rules for the ECG cable are the same as the coil cable. Route the ECG cable down the center
of the bore, do not loop the ECG cable and do not allow it to come in contact with the coil
cable.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-129

Figure 2-53: 1 = ECG cable with no loops

4. Only use approved RF coils that are not damaged.

Labels such as the one in the figure below, provide warnings about working with RF coils.
Figure 2-54: Warning label

Before using the coil, check the integrity of the electrical insulation of the components or
accessories of the device.

5. Keep electrically conductive material that must remain in the magnet bore from directly contacting
the patient by placing insulation between the conductive material and the patient.

Place a clean cotton sheet over the coil and comfort pad so the patient's skin does not come in
contact with the coil or the comfort pad.

6. Position RF cables down the center and directly out of the bore, without looping or crossing the
cables.

Use the cable holders provided to route the cables so there are no loops in any cables in the
magnet. Cable holders are located on both side of the cradle near the edges. Use the appropriate
gating cable for surface coil imaging.
Use only MR system recommended monitoring equipment, ECG leads, wires, electrodes, and
other components and accessories.

2-130 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

For medical devices that are labeled as MR Safe or MR Conditional consult the device
manufacturer's documentation.
Follow all instructions for the proper operation of physiologic monitoring or other equipment
provided by the manufacturer of the device.

7. Test the patient intercom.

Make sure that the patient can hear you and you can hear the patient.

8. Enter the correct patient weight.

Correct weight entries maximize performance and help prevent excessive RF exposure.

9. Turn on the bore light and fan.

Lights turned on inside the bore can help alleviate feelings of claustrophobia.
A fan inside the magnet bore provides adequate air movement for the patient. Keep the fan on at
all times.

10. Show the patient how to use the Patient Alert System.

Patients experiencing uneasiness or concern can squeeze the Patient Alert bulb.
When the Patient Alert bulb is squeezed, an alarm emits a signal to you.

11. Respond to bore temperature direction messages throughout the procedure.

The temperature messages are located in the message window on your console.
If the patient reports feeling warm, discontinue the procedure.

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Protect the patient's eyes and ears

During scanning gradients produce noise that can exceed 99 dBA in the bore. Hearing protection is required
to prevent hearing impairment. Patients must close his or her eyes when the alignment light is on during
positioning. Follow these guidelines to ensure proper eye and ear protection for your patient.

1. Provide the patient with hearing protection.

Earplugs or a headphone system with stereo music. For details, see Acoustic Noise
Earplugs reduce the intensity of the sound, while allowing your patient to hear normal
conversations.
Headphone systems soften acoustic noise, but may impede verbal communication with
patients while the system is operating.
Table 2-1:Disposable ear protection

Description dB
E8801BA EAR Disposable Foam
29
Earplugs
E8801BB EAR Taperfit2 Foam
32
Earplugs
E8801BC Max-Lite Foam Earplugs 30

WARNING
Hearing protection is required for all people in the magnet room during a scan to prevent hearing
impairment. Acoustic levels may exceed 99 dB(A)

IMPORTANT!:Since the acoustic noise of the OpenSpeed system does not exceed 92.2 dBA, ear
protection is not required, but is recommended.

2. Make sure that the hearing protection device is worn properly.

Earplugs should be comfortable for the patient and inserted fully. Pliable earplugs compress
when they are rolled between the fingers and conform to the ear after they are inserted.
The headphone system should be audible and comfortable for the patient.

3. Instruct the patient to close his or her eyes when the alignment light is on.

The Laser Alignment Lights for patient positioning can cause eye injury.
3.0T VH/i systems do not use semiconductor laser alignment lights for patient land marking,
therefore this only applies to 0.7T, 1.5T. and 3.0T EXCITE systems.

CAUTION
Turn off the laser light after positioning the patient.

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Patient emergencies
Dealing with patient emergencies requires special planning in the MR environment because of the
magnetic field. Certain equipment used for resuscitation does not function in a magnetic field, and ferrous
items can become projectiles. If a patient needs emergency medical attention during the scanning session,
follow these guidelines:

1. Press Emergency Stop on the operator’s console or magnet enclosure.

The scan aborts.

The power disables the patient-handling and scan-related equipment.

2. Notify emergency personnel, if necessary.

Since ferromagnetic life support and related equipment cannot be brought into the magnet
room, it must await the patient outside the magnet room.

3. Quickly bring the patient out of the magnet bore. Refer to your specific product operator manual for
details on cradle emergency release.

4. If you have an OpenSpeed, Brivo MR355, or Optima MR360 fixed table systems, continue with step 5.
Otherwise, move the side rails of the transport into the vertical position then, continue with step 7.

The side rails help prevent the patient from rolling off the side of the patient table and provide a
handrail for the patient to hold.
The side rails also provide you a handrail as you guide the table during movement.

5. Move a non-ferrous gurney next to the magnet table.

6. Move the patient from the table to the gurney and continue with step 8.
7. Undock the transport.

Use the undock pedal at the foot of the table or emergency release handle at the head of the
table.

8. Keep the patient on the gurney or transport and remove the patient from the magnet room as
quickly as possible.

It is important to have an assigned emergency area outside of the magnet room where you can
take a patient so that the emergency team can use the necessary equipment.

9. Follow your facility’s emergency protocol.

WARNING
The Emergency Stop button does not remove the magnetic field, turn off the computer cabinets,
operator’s console, or camera.

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Equipment or environmental emergencies

If you experience a serious equipment fault (system overheating, smoke, or odor associated with the
system) or hazards such as fire/water in the vicinity of the MR equipment, you may need to perform a
system shutdown with the Emergency Off button. The entire MR system is turns OFF with this button, except
for the static magnetic field and the Magnet Rundown Unit used to shutdown the magnetic field.
Use this procedure to perform an emergency shutdown on your system during an equipment or
environmental emergency.

1. Press the Emergency Off button located on the wall next to the computer equipment or next to the
magnet room door.

This stops power to the magnet room, removing all electrical power from all components of the
system.
This button also removes any power sources from UPS devices.

2. Evacuate the patient.

Follow the guidelines in the Patient Emergencies procedure.

3. Evacuate the MR suite.

Follow your facility’s emergency protocol.

4. Call the fire department, if appropriate.

When the fire department arrives, evaluate the need for an emergency MRI magnet quench.
If the firefighters need to take ferromagnetic equipment into the MRI magnet room, quench the
magnet.

5. Contact a service engineer before restoring power.

To restore power after an Emergency Off, the main circuit breaker must be reset before
rebooting the system.

6. After service has examined the system, document the correct cause of the emergency.

Keeping the events documented allows you to reference this information in the future and may
help prevent similar incidents.

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Magnet emergencies
In addition to patient and equipment emergencies, magnetic field emergencies can also occur. Examples of
magnetic field emergencies include instances where the presence of the magnetic field may cause injury
or harm, if someone is pinned between the magnet and ferromagnetic object. All personnel should be
familiar with how to respond to magnet emergencies.
A magnet rundown results in several days of downtime and may jeopardize your magnet. Your facility
needs to define the specific circumstances that would require a magnet rundown so that no one makes an
expensive mistake.
Use this procedure to perform an emergency magnet rundown on your system during a magnetic field
emergency.

1. Press the Magnet Rundown button located in the magnet room.

This results in a rapid reduction of the magnetic field in about two minutes.
There is a boil-off of cryogens, accompanied by loud crackling and hissing sounds.
Expect several days of downtime to replace the cryogens.

2. Evacuate the patient and all other personnel from the magnet room.

Follow the guidelines in the Patient Emergencies procedure.

3. Evacuate the magnet room.

Follow your facility’s emergency protocol.

IMPORTANT!: Plan and rehearse for a magnet rundown that results in venting of cryogen vapor into
the magnet room.
Do not activate the Magnet Rundown switch during practice.

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Quench with vent failure

A magnet quench can result in the release of cryogen vapor into the magnet room if the vent fails; white
clouds of vapor appear in the magnet room. Cryogens released during a quench can cause asphyxiation,
frostbite, or injuries due to panic. Magnet quenches are indicated by a loud noise, warning message, or the
tilting of an image on the image screen. It is critical to have a well-planned method to quickly remove the
patient and all personnel from the magnet room if a quench should occur.
Use this procedure in case of a sudden cryogen release into the magnet room.

1. Do not panic.

Staying calm helps you remain focused so you are able to safely remember and follow your
planned method of action.

2. Using the intercom, tell the patient to stay calm and remain on the table.

Tell the patient that someone will be in shortly to offer assistance.

3. Turn on the magnet room exhaust fan.

Some systems vent automatically and there is no fan to turn on.

4. Prop open the door between the operator room and hallway or if in a mobile unit, open the door to
the outside.

This promotes air circulation.

5. Prop open the door to the magnet room.

If helium is venting in the room, the magnet room door may not open.
If the door cannot be opened, slide open the window between the console and magnet rooms, or
if needed, break the window to the magnet room to relieve pressure.

6. Enter the magnet room and help the patient exit.

If a gurney or wheelchair is needed to remove the patient, make sure it is a non-ferrous type.
When exiting, stay near the floor where the oxygen will be and immediately exit the magnet
room.

7. Evacuate all personnel from the area until the air is restored to normal.

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Check cryogen levels

Systems with a Helium Level Meter
It is very important to check and record the helium level. Sufficient helium is necessary to avoid accidental
quench. If the helium levels fall below 60%, or the level your service engineer says is acceptable, contact a
service engineer immediately.
Use this procedure to check cryogen levels.

1. Turn on the Helium Meter power switch.

This switch is located at the system cabinet.

2. Press Update on the system cabinet.

An updated reading of the helium level posts.

3. Record the percent of helium reading.

Keep a logbook to record readings daily.

It is crucial that cryogenic systems be checked regularly to be sure they are properly functioning.

4. Turn off the Helium Meter power switch when complete.

Systems with a Magnet Monitor Unit

It is very important to check and record the helium level. Sufficient helium is necessary to avoid accidental
quench. If the helium falls below 60%, or the level your service engineer says is acceptable, contact a
service engineer immediately.
Use this procedure to daily check cryogen levels of a system with a Magnet Monitor Unit.

1. Locate the magnet monitor, which is typically in the equipment room. Push the sample button on the
Magnet Monitor Unit and hold it for approximately 10 seconds.
An updated reading of the helium level posts.
2. Record the He Level value when it displays on the monitor.
The reading also toggles to the magnet pressure. Monitor any change in pressure. Normal
pressure is between 3.9psi and 4.1psi.
Keep a logbook to record readings daily.
It is crucial that cryogenic systems be checked regularly to be sure they are properly functioning.
3. If the alarm LED is illuminated, contact your service engineer.

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Handle contact with liquid cryogens

Since the cryogen gasses are odorless, tasteless, and colorless, it is particularly important to have specific
procedures in place to avoid frostbite if there is ever an accident in which the liquid or gaseous cryogen
contacts human skin. Such procedures should be established and made readily available to all personnel.
Use this procedure immediately in the unlikely event that someone comes in contact with a liquid cryogen.

1. Promptly flush the area with large volumes of tepid water.

Tepid water is 105° to 111°F or 41° to 46°C.

For cold burns, immerse affected area in tepid water for at least 15 minutes.

2. Calm the victim.

3. Avoid aggravating the injury.

Do not rub or massage the affected parts of the body.

4. Cover the area with a sterile dressing.

You may also use a clean sheet if the exposed area is large.
This protects the area from further trauma.

5. Consult a physician immediately.

Maintain the affected area at normal body temperatures until a physician arrives.

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Safety review
Table 2-48: Safety review table

Situation Procedure
Fire, sparks, a loud noise or other
Press an Emergency Off button, either in the computer equipment
emergency condition in the magnet
room or at the magnet room door. Remove the patient from the
room not associated with normal
magnet room.
operation of the system.
Magnet quench, indicated by a loud
noise, warning message, dense white
vapor with vent failure, helium meter Evacuate the patient and personnel from the magnet room and
dropping considerably or the tilting of close the magnet room door. Follow your site's overnight
an image on the image screen. procedure. All helium vapor should automatically be vented
outside of the magnet room.
Oxygen monitor is activated indicated
by a loud sound.
Magnetic-field emergency, e.g., a Press the Magnet Rundown button in the magnet room. Remove
person pinned between the magnet the patient from the scan room.
and a ferromagnetic object.
Press an Emergency Off button, either in the computer equipment
Fire, sparks or a loud noise, indicating room or at the magnet room door. Remove the patient from the
a severe system malfunction in the magnet room.
computer equipment room.

Fire or severe condition relating to the Press an Emergency Off button, either in the computer equipment
power distribution unit (PDU) or room or at the magnet room door. Remove the patient from the
service outlets. magnet room.
Overtemp indicator lights up at the Remove the patient from the magnet room. Check the PDU vent
remote power panel (RPP) or at the for obstructions. If the vent is obstructed, or if the overtemp light or
PDU, and an error message appears message remains on, perform a system shutdown and then press
on the scan console’s System Status an Emergency Off button, either in the computer equipment room
Display area. or at the magnet room door.
Press the Emergency Stop button on the console or magnet and
Patient needs medical attention.
remove the patient from the magnet room.
Make certain the cradle is fully retracted on the transport (the
home position) before undocking the transport. Keep all personnel
(including patients) away from any spill. Keep patients on the table
until safe transfer is possible. Check for oil leaks and if any exist,
Hydraulic failure of the table.
clean them up to prevent anyone from slipping on the oil. If the
table latch is stuck and the table cannot be removed, pull the Table
Transport Emergency Release. Remove the table from clinical use
until it is repaired.
Imaging functions are lost without Follow your facility’s emergency procedures during this type of
warning. occurrence.

In all cases, notify a GE Service Engineer as soon as possible.

The ACR Guidance Document for Safe MR Practices may be found at ACR.org. GE does not necessarily
endorse the document, but provides the reference for information.

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MR compatibility test guidelines

Introduction
This section document describes a set of specifications and standards that can be used to evaluate the
Magnetic Resonance (MR) compatibility of hand-held, non-electronic equipment used in conjunction with the
MR system.

MR compatibility standards
The American Society for Testing and Materials, International (ASTM) has developed the following MR
compatibility standards (and are developing more):

F1542 Specification for the Requirements and Disclosure of Self-Closing Aneurysm Clips
F2052 Test Method for Measurement of Magnetically Induced Displacement Force on Medical
Devices in the Magnetic Resonance Environment
F2119 Test Method for Evaluation of MR Image Artifacts from Passive Implants
F2182 Measurement of Radio Frequency Induced Heating Near Passive Implants During Magnetic
Resonance Imaging
F2213 Measurement of Magnetically Induced Torque on Medical Devices in the Magnetic Resonance
Environment
F2503 Practice for Marking Medical Devices and Other Items for Safety in the Magnetic Resonance
Environment

These may be ordered online at http://www.astm.org.

2-140 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

PM service schedules
Specific customer requirements and/or your site environment may necessitate more or less frequent
intervals for PM1 service. An agreement to perform PMs less frequently than these recommendations can
be made with the understanding that a reduction of system performance may result.
To further enhance productivity, the PM procedures have been divided into four types:

Type 1 – Safety and Regulatory

Type 2 – Image Quality
Type 3 – Other (System not available for patient scans)
Type 4 – Other (System available for patient scans)

The PM matrices list all the PM procedures and the frequency they should be completed, according to
schedules listed below. The schedules indicate the procedures that are performed during each visit. They
also show the type (1 - 4) for each procedure. The services should be completed at the indicated intervals
and should be performed only by qualified service personnel.

Four/year PM schedule

A = 0 to 3 months
B = 4 to 6 months
C = 7 to 9 months
D = 10 -12 months

Six/year PM schedule

A = 0 to 2 months
B = 3 to 4 months
C = 5 to 6 months
D = 7 to 8 months
E = 9 to 10 months
F = 11 to 12 months

There are different service schedules for each system type:

0.7T Service Schedule

1.5T Service Schedule for HDx and HDx prior systems
3.0T Service Schedule for HDx and HDx prior systems
HDxt 1.5T and 3.0T Service Schedule
Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 System Service Schedule
MR750, MR450 and MR450w Service PM schedule

1Planned Maintenance

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SE R VIC E SC H E D U LE

Discovery MR750 3.0T and MR450 1.5T and Optima

MR450w 1.5T
The Discovery MR750 3.0T, MR750w, MR450 1.5T, and Optima 450w PM1 service schedule lists all the PM
procedures and the frequency they should be completed according to schedules A -D.

A = 0 to 3 months
B = 4 to 6 months
C = 7 to 0 months
D = 10 to 12 months

To further enhance productivity, the PM procedures have been divided into four types:

Type 1 – Safety and Regulatory

Type 2 – Image Quality
Type 3 – Other (System not available for patient scans)
Type 4 – Other (System available for patient scans)

CAUTION
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein
may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

1Planned Maintenance

2-142 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-49: Discovery MR750 3.0T and MR 450 1.5T and Optima 450w PM Schedule

Test
Subsystem PM check performed A B C D
purpose
Image Quality
Patient
Laser Light Alignment Check X X X X
Handling
Image Quality DQAII Calibration Adjust X X
IBIS Patch Update Adjust X X X X
Image Quality SPT (PM Mode) Check X X X X
Image Quality LVShim (PM Mode) Check X X X X
Image Quality EPI White Pixel (PM Mode) Check X X X X
IBIS PM Check Check X X X X
Magnet Room
Magnet Room Oxygen Monitor Operation (Option) Safety X
Magnet Room PAC Leakage Current Test Safety X
Magnet Room Cardiac Gating Cable Safety X X
Magnet Room Patient Blower and Filter Check X X X X
Magnet Room Pneumatic Patient Alert System Safety X X
PGR Cabinet
PGR Cabinet Inlet Filters Clean X X X X
RF Power UPM Functional Check Safety X
Patient Handling
Patient
General Checks Safety X X
Handling
Patient
Hydraulic Fluid Check Check X
Handling
Heat Exchanger
Heat
Check fluid levels and top off Check X X X X
Exchanger
Heat
HEC Coolant Deionization Replace X
Exchanger
Heat
HEC Filter Check Check X X
Exchanger
PDU
Teal PDU Emergency Off & Stop Circuits/Indicator Safety X
Teal PDU LightsLeak Sensor Functionality Check Safety X
Computer
GOC Set time Check X X
GOC Clean dust Clean X X
Computer
T-File Cleanup Clean X
System
Computer Storelog/File Clean up Clean X

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Test
Subsystem PM check performed A B C D
purpose
System
Computer
Review Overnight Diag Results Check X X X X
System
Computer
One-Wire Diagnostic Check X
System
Options Cabinet
BrainWave Clean filters on BrainWave Lite PC (Option) Clean x x
Magnet
Magnet &
Inspect Cryogen Vent Check X
Cryogens
Magnet &
Test GE Magnet Rundown Unit (MRU) Safety X X X X
Cryogens
Magnet &
Inspect SH1 System (Replace Adsorber every 20K hours) Replace X X
Cryogens
Inspect for discoloration the inside of the bore and the front and
Magnet covers Check X
back of the magnet
Secondary PEN Wall
Penetration
Body Coil Air Filter Clean X X
Panel

2-144 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

SE R VIC E SC H E D U LE

0.7T
The 0.7T PM1 service schedule lists all the PM procedures and the frequency they should be completed
within a 3-month time frame, according to the following schedule, which results in services completed four
times per year:

Four/year PM schedule

A = 0 to 3 months
B = 4 to 6 months
C = 7 to 9 months
D = 10 -12 months

To further enhance productivity, the PM procedures have been divided into four types:

Type 1 – Safety and Regulatory

Type 2 – Image Quality
Type 3 – Other (System not available for patient scans)
Type 4 – Other (System available for patient scans)

CAUTION
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein
may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

1Planned Maintenance

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-145

Table 2-50: 0.7T PM Schedule

Item Type A B C D
Magnet Room
Check Oxygen Monitor operation/installation date 1 X
Perform Physical Acquisition Controller (PAC) Leakage Current test 1 X
Check magnet room radio frequency (RF) integrity with correlated noise 3 X X X X
Check cardiac gating cable 1 X X
Check patient blower and filter 3 X X X X
Check pneumatic Patient Alert System 1 X X
RF
Check RF cabinet fans and filters 4 X X X X
Perform Power Monitor functional checks 1 X
Check RF output power 1 X X X X
Patient Handling
Check table operation 1 X X X X
Check emergency release of cradle 1 X X
Check patient transport casters and armboard set screws 1 X X X X
Check brake pedal cable and brake operation 1 X X
Check table gas shocks 1 X X
Check table/cradle level 3 X
Clean lightweight cradle wheels 3 X X
Replacement of gas shocks (every 2 years) 3 X
Gradients
Check Gradient Cabinet fans and filters 4 X X X X
Check eddy current compensation 2 X X X X
Check gradient cables connection and support 3 X
Check gradient calibration 2 X X X X
PDU
Check PDU Module in GRFD Cabinet emergency off and stop circuits 1 X
Inspect PDU power connections 3 X
Operator Workspace for OpenSpeed
Check computer fans and clean air intake grills 3 X X X X
Clean workstation mouse and videocam lens 3 X X
Set Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) system clock 4 X X X X
Operator Workspace for OpenSpeed Excite
Clean disk space by entering the following in a c-shell: storelog 4 X X X X
Adjust the time from Guided Install 4 X X X X
Clean dust of global operator console 3 X X X X
General System

2-146 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Item Type A B C D
Check system cabinet fans and clean filters 4 X X X X
Check and delete error/message log/T-test files 3 X X X X
Check shim 2 X X X X
Check SNR 2 X X X X
Check cabinet inlet air temperature 4 X X X X
Check PM supplies 4 X
Update Configuration File in Site Log Book 4 X X
Perform Site Restoration - Check the Daily Quality Assurance (DQA) phantom,
3 X X X X
remove GE test scans, and check cabinet doors and covers
Check laser alignment lights 1 X X X X
3M Laser Camera
Check laser camera fans 3 X X X X
Clean and vacuum laser camera interior 3 X
Clean laser camera suction cups 3 X X X X
Clean laser camera transport plate/docking unit 3 X X X X
Run laser camera cleaning film 3 X X X X
Clean laser camera exterior 4 X
Check laser camera air shock pressure
(Mobile systems only) 4 X
Replace laser camera external docking unit switches 3 X X
Magnet and Cryogens
Check Magnet Monitor Connectivity 4 X X X X
Calculate cryogen boil-off rates 4 X X X X
Monitor Magnet Thermal Performance 4 X X X X
Evaluate cryogen delivery schedule (If applicable) 4 X X
Evaluate helium transfill efficiency 4 X X
Verify cryogen meter calibration 4 X
Inspect cryogen vent 1 X
Test GE Magnet Rundown Unit (MRU) 1 X X X X
Inspect GE MRU 1 X
Check drip pan for fluid build-up 3 X X
Inspect Sumitomo system (Replace adsorber every 20,000 hours) 3 X
Replace Desiccant Pack in water flow meter 3 X X X
Inspect flow meter for Magnet Monitor 3 X X X X
SCC Cabinet
Check air inlets, water temperature, and water flow 3 X X X X

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-147

SE R VIC E SC H E D U LE

HDxt 1.5T and 3.0T

The HDxt PM service schedule lists all the PM1 procedures and the frequency they should be completed.
There are four PMs per year.

Four/year PM schedule

A = 0 to 3 months
B = 4 to 6 months
C = 7 to 9 months
D = 10 -12 months

CAUTION
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein
may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

1Planned Maintenance

2-148 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-51: HDxt 1.5 and 3.0T PM schedule

Subsystem Type A B C D
Image Quality
Alignment Light Check IQ X X X X
As As As As
Patch Update
applicable applicable applicable applicable
DQA-II Calibration IQ X
LVShim IQ X X X X
Eddy Current Check IQ X X X X
Coherent Noise IQ X X X X
Signal to Noise Check IQ X X X X
Spike Noise Check IQ X X X X
16-channel switch diagnostic IQ X X X X
Perform Save Info N/A X X X X
PM Check IQ X X X X
Magnet Room
Oxygen Monitor Operation Safety X
Cardiac Gating Cable Safety X X X X
Patient Blower and Filter Check X X X X
Pneumatic Patient Alarm System Safety X X
Inspect Front Cover Cable Take-up Check X
PAC Leakage Current Test Safety X
RF/System Cabinet
Fan and Filter for SRFD Clean X X X X
Fan and Filter for MKS Clean X X X X
Check RF Output Power Check X X X X
Check/Clean Filters in RFS Cabinet Clean X
Power Monitor Check Check X
Patient Handling
Patient Table Checks Safety X X X X
Lite Patient Transport Safety X X X X
Signa OR - compatible table Safety X X X X
Signa Oncology Patient Transport Table Safety X X X X
Gradient
Fans and Filters Clean X X X X
Check Fluid Levels and valve of Heat
Clean X X
Exchanger
CFT-150 System maintenance Check X X
Lytron System maintenance Check X X
Mobile Hx System maintenance Check X X

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-149

Subsystem Type A B C D
Gradient cable / PDU Connections &
Check X
Support
PDU
Emergency Off & Stop Circuits/Indicator
Safety X X
Lights
Clean PDU Air intake Clean X
TAC Cabinet - TRM Systems only
Filter Replacement Check X X X X
Clean Inlet Screen Clean X
Solenoid Valve Replacement Replace X
Vacuum Check Check X
Computer
Storelog Check X X X X
Clean dust, set time Clean X X
BrainWave cabinet
Clean the Filters on Brainwave Lite PC Clean X
Integrated Patient Comfort Module (ICPM) Chilled Air Blower (CAB) (3.0T Option)
Check Cabinet Filter and Condenser Clean X X
Magnet
Verify Magnet Monitor Calibration Check X
Test GE Magnet Rundown Unit (MRU) Safety X X X X
Inspect GE MRU Safety X
Inspect cryocooler systems Check X X
Inspect Cryogen Vent Check X

2-150 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

SE R VIC E SC H E D U LE

1.5T for HDx and HDx prior systems

The 1.5T PM1 service schedule lists all the PM procedures and the frequency they should be completed
within a 2-month time frame, according to schedules A - F. This results in services completed six times per
year.

Six/year PM schedule

A = 0 to 2 months
B = 3 to 4 months
C = 5 to 6 months
D = 7 to 8 months
E = 9 to 10 months
F = 11 to 12 months

To further enhance productivity, the PM procedures have been divided into four types:

Type 1 – Safety and Regulatory

Type 2 – Image Quality
Type 3 – Other (System not available for patient scans)
Type 4 – Other (System available for patient scans)

CAUTION
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein
may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
An asterisk ( * ) indicates the procedure should be performed during every site visit.

1Planned Maintenance

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-151

Table 2-52: 1.5T system PM schedule

Item Type A B C D E F
Magnet Room
Check Oxygen Monitor operation/installation date 1 X
Inspect front cover and cable take-up 3 X
Inspect for discoloration the inside of the bore and the front and back of the
1 X
magnet
Perform Physical Acquisition Controller (PAC) Leakage Current test 1 X
Check magnet room radio frequency (RF) integrity with correlated noise 3 X X X
Check cardiac gating cable 1 X X X X
Check patient blower and filter 3 X X X X X X
Check pneumatic Patient Alert System 1 X X
RF
Check RF cabinet fans and filters 4 X X X X X X
Check Erbtec blower output 3 X X X X
Perform Power Monitor functional checks –RF/Penetration cabinet 1 X
Perform Power Monitor functional checks – RF/Penetration II cabinet 1 X
Perform Power Monitor functional checks – RF/Power Distribution Unit (PDU)
1 X
cabinet
Check RF output power 1 X X X X X X
Patient Handling
Check emergency release of cradle and patient transport 1 X X X X X X
Check patient transport docking and alignment 3 X X X
Check patient transport casters, armboard set screws, and bumper strips 1 X X X X X X
Check patient transport caster locks 1 X X
Check cradle longitudinal drive clutch 1 X X X
Check patient transport hydraulic filter 3 X X
Clean lightweight cradle wheels 3 X X
Check foot pedal spring installation date 3 X
Gradients
Check Gradient Cabinet fans and filters 4 X X X X X X
Check eddy current compensation 2 X X X X X X
Check gradient cables connection and support 3 X
Check gradient calibration 2 X X X X X X
Check fluid level and valve of heat exchanger 3 X X X
Check water chiller for gradient coil cooling 3 X X X
Check pump motor lubrication 4 X
PDU
Check Standard PDU fans and filters 4 X X X
Check Standard PDU emergency off and stop circuits/indicator lights 1 X

2-152 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Item Type A B C D E F
Inspect Standard PDU and power connections 3 X
Check PowerTech and/or Transtector 3 X X
Check Compact PDU fans and filters 4 X X X
Check Compact PDU emergency off and stop circuits/indicator lights 1 X
Inspect Compact PDU and power connections 3 X
Check PDU Module in RF and Advance Control Gradient Driver (ACGD)/PDU
1 X
Cabinet emergency off and stop circuits
Inspect ACGD Cabinet PDU power connections 3 X
Computer (Horizon 5.X)
Check Operator Console (OC) and Independent Console (IC) computer fans and
3 X X X X X X
clean air intake grills
Clean OC/IC DAT drive 4 X X X X X X
Check OC/IC console power supply fan 3 X X X X X X
Clean and vacuum OC/IC console interior 3 X
Operator Workspace (8.X and 9.X)
Check computer fans and clean air intake grills 3 X X X X X X
Clean workstation mouse and videocam lens 3 X X
Set Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) system clock 4 X X X X X X
Operator Workspace (Excite, HD, HDx)
Clean disk space by entering the following in a c-shell: storelog 4 X X X X X X
Adjust the time from Guided Install 4 X X X
Clean dust of global operator console 3 X X X
General System
Check system cabinet fans and clean filters 4 X X X X X X
Check and delete error/message log/T-test files/save info 3 X X X X X X
Check shim 2 X X X X X X
Check SNR 2 X X X X X X
Check cabinet inlet air temperature 4 X X X
Check PM supplies 4 X
Update Configuration File in Site Log Book 4 X X
Verify PM completion on van equipment
(Mobile systems only) 4 X X
Perform Site Restoration - Check the Daily Quality Assurance (DQA) phantom,
3 X X X X X X
remove GE test scans, and check cabinet doors and covers
Check modem
(United States sites only) 3 X X X X X X
Check laser alignment lights 1 X X X X X X
Review System Health Report 4 X X X X X X
3M Laser Camera

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-153

Item Type A B C D E F
Check laser camera fans 3 X X X X X X
Clean and vacuum laser camera interior 3 X X
Clean laser camera suction cups 3 X X X X X X
Clean laser camera transport plate/docking unit 3 X X X X X X
Run laser camera cleaning film 3 X X X X X X
Clean laser camera exterior 4 X X
Check laser camera air shock pressure
(Mobile systems only) 4 X X
Replace laser camera external docking unit switches 3 X X
Twin Accessory Cabinet (TAC)
Filter replacement 4 X X X X X X
Tip seal replacement 3 X
Clean inlet screen 3 X
Solenoid valve replacement 3 X
Magnet and Cryogens
Check cryogen levels (Phone site for information) 4 * * * * * *
Calculate cryogen boil-off rates/record compressor run times (Phone Site for
4 * * * * * *
information)
Evaluate cryogen delivery schedule (If applicable) 4 X X X X X X
Evaluate helium transfill efficiency 4 X X X X X X
Verify cryogen meter calibration - GE Magnets 4 X
Verify cryogen meter calibration - Oxford Magnets 4 X
Inspect cryogen vent 1 X
Test Magnet Emergency Rundown Unit (ERU) 1 X X X X X X
Inspect Magnet ERU 1 X
Test GE Magnet Rundown Unit (MRU) 1 X X X X X X
1
Inspect GE MRU X

Check and empty collection bottles (GE S-One and Oxford magnets only) 3 X X X X X X
Inspect Cryogenics Technics, Inc. (CTI) system (Oxford magnets only) 3 X X
Record cryostat pressure and flow rates (GE magnets only) 3 X X X X X X
Inspect Leybold system (Replace adsorber every 24,000 hours) (GE magnets
3 X X X
only)
Inspect Balzers system (Replace adsorber every 26,000 hours) (GE magnets only) 3 X X X
Inspect Sumitomo system (Replace adsorber every 20,000 hours) 3 X X X
Perform Oxford mobile specific inspections 3 X X
Inspect Oxford water cooled power supply valve 3 X
Check/replace Equipment Diagnostic Monitor (EDM) battery 3 X
Change Desiccant Pack water flow meter 3 X X X

2-154 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

SE R VIC E SC H E D U LE

3.0T for HDx and HDx prior systems

The 3.0T PM1 service schedule lists all the PM procedures and the frequency they should be completed
within a 2-month time frame, according to schedules A - F. This results in services completed six times per
year.

Six/year PM schedule

A = 0 to 2 months
B = 3 to 4 months
C = 5 to 6 months
D = 7 to 8 months
E = 9 to 10 months
F = 11 to 12 months

To further enhance productivity, the PM procedures have been divided into four types:

Type 1 – Safety and Regulatory

Type 2 – Image Quality
Type 3 – Other (System not available for patient scans)
Type 4 – Other (System available for patient scans)

1Planned Maintenance

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-155

Table 2-53: 3.0T HDx and HDx prior systems service schedule

Item Type A B C D E F
Magnet Room
Inspect front cover and cable take-up 3 X
Inspect for discoloration the inside of the bore and the front and back of the
1 X
magnet
Perform Physical Acquisition Controller (PAC) Leakage Current test 1 X
Check magnet room radio frequency (RF) integrity with correlated noise 3 X X X
Check cardiac gating cable 1 X X X X
Check patient blower and filter 3 X X X X X X
Check pneumatic Patient Alert System 1 X X
RF
Check RF Cabinet fans and filters 4 X X X X X X
Check RF output power 1 X X X X X X
Patient Handling
Check emergency release of cradle and patient transport 1 X X X X X X
Check patient transport docking and alignment 3 X X X
Check patient transport casters and armboard set screws and bumper strips 1 X X X X X X
Check patient transport caster locks 1 X X
Check cradle longitudinal drive clutch 1 X X X
Check patient transport hydraulic filter 3 X X
Clean lightweight cradle wheels 3 X X
Check foot pedal spring installation date 3 X
Gradients
Check Gradient Cabinet fans and filters 4 X X X X X X
Check eddy current compensation 2 X X X X X X
Check gradient cables connection and support 3 X
Check gradient calibration 2 X X X X X X
Check fluid level and valve of heat exchanger 3 X X X
Check water chiller for gradient coil cooling 3 X X X
Check pump motor lubrication 4 X
PDU
Check PDU module in ACGD/PDU Cabinet emergency off and stop circuits 1 X
Inspect PDU power connections 3 X
Operator Workspace (with Octane computer)
Check computer fans and clean air intake grills 3 X X X X X X
Clean workstation mouse and videocam lens 3 X X
Set Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) system clock 4 X X X X X X
Operator Workspace (HD and HDx)
Clean disk space by entering the following in a c-shell: storelog 4 X X X X X X

2-156 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Item Type A B C D E F
Adjust the time from Guided Install 4 X X X
Clean dust of global operator console 3 X X X
General System
Check system cabinet fans and clean filters 4 X X X X X X
Check and delete error/message log/T-test files 3 X X X X X X
Check shim 2 X X X X X X
Check SNR 2 X X X X X X
Check cabinet inlet air temperature 4 X X X
Check PM supplies 4 X
Update configuration file in Site Log Book 4 X X
Perform site restoration - Check Daily Quality Assurance (DQA) phantom,
3 X X X X X X
remove GE test scans, and check cabinet doors and covers
Check modem 3 X X X X X X
Check laser alignment lights
Not applicable for 3.0T VH/i 1 X X X X X X
Review System Health Report 4 X X X X X X
Accessory Cabinet (ACC)
Clean filter 4 X X X X X X
Perform Power Monitor functional check 1 X
Magnet and Cryogens
Check cryogen levels 4 * * * * * *
Calculate cryogen boil-off rates/record compressor run times 4 * * * * * *
Evaluate cryogen delivery schedule 4 X X X X X X
Evaluate helium transfill efficiency 4 X X X X X X
Verify cryogen meter calibration
(GE magnets only) 4 X
Inspect cryogen vent 1 X
Test GE Magnet Rundown Unit (MRU) 1 X X X X X X
Inspect GE (MRU) 1 X
Record cryostat pressure and flow rates
(GE magnets only) 3 X X X X X X
Inspect Sumitomo Heavy Industry (SHI) system 3 X X X

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-157

SE R VIC E SC H E D U LE

Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 System

Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 System Service Schedule lists all the PM1 procedures and the frequency
they should be completed according to schedule A - D.

A = 0 to 3 months
B = 4 to 6 months
C = 7 to 0 months
D = 10 to 12 months

To further enhance productivity, the PM procedures have been divided into four types:

Type 1 – Safety and Regulatory

Type 2 – Image Quality
Type 3 – Other (System not available for patient scans)
Type 4 – Other (System available for patient scans)

CAUTION
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein
may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

1Planned Maintenance

2-158 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Table 2-54: Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 system service schedule

Subsystem PM check performed Type A B C D

Image Quality
Alignment Light Check IQ 2 X X X X
Patch update (Service contract customers only) Software 3 X X X X
DQA Tool II IQ 2 X X X X
LVShim IQ 2 X X X X
Grafidy3 IQ 2 X X X X
Coherent Noise IQ 2 X X X X
Signal to Noise Check IQ 2 X X X X
Spike Noise Check IQ 2 X X X X
PM Check (Service Contract
PM Check (Service Contract Customers Only) IQ 2 X X X X
Magnet Room
Oxygen Monitor Operation Safety 1 X
Patient Blower & Filter Check 3 X X X X
Pneumatic Patient Alert System Safety 1 X X
System Cabinet
Power Monitor Check Check 3 X
Cabinet FAN & Water Line Check 3 X X X X
Driver Module Lite Functional
Driver Module Lite Functional Check Check 3 X X X
Cabinet Monitor Functional Check Check 3 X X
Clean Inlet Filter Check 4 X X X X
Gradient Cable Connection Check Check 3 X
DC Power Check Check 3 X X
PHPS Lite Functional Check Check 3 X X
MCS/LCS Coolant Level Check Check 4 X X X X
Patient Handling
Patient Table Checks Safety 1 X X X X
System Cooling Unit and BRM Chiller
Check Fluid levels and Valve of Heat Exchanger Clean 3 X X
Replace Lytron Pump for 4KW Clean 3 X
PDU
Emergency Off & Stop Circuits/Indicator Lights Safety 1 X X X X
Computer
Storelog Check 4 X X X X
Clean Dust. Set time Check 3 X X
Magnet

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-159

Subsystem PM check performed Type A B C D

Test GE Magnet Rundown Unit (MRU) Safety 1 X X X X
PAC Leakage Current Test Safety 1 X
Inspect Cryocooler Systems Check 3 X X
Inspect Cryogen Vent Check 3 X
Verify Cryogen Meter Calibration Check 4 X

2-160 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

China RoHS label directive

Signa 1.5T & 3.0T Systems
The following product pollution control information is provided according to SJ/T11364-2006 Marking for
Control of Pollution caused by Electronic Information Products.

This symbol indicates the product contains hazardous materials in excess of the limits established
by the Chinese standard SJ/T11363-2006 Requirements for Concentration Limits for Certain Hazardous
Substances in Electronic Information Products. The number in the symbol is the Environment-friendly Use
Period (EFUP), which indicates the period during which the toxic or hazardous substances or elements
contained in electronic information products will not leak or mutate under normal operating conditions so
that the use of such electronic information products will not result in any severe environmental pollution,
any bodily injury or damage to any assets. The unit of the period is “Year”.
In order to maintain the declared EFUP, the product shall be operated normally according to the
instructions and environmental conditions as defined in the product manual, and periodic maintenance
schedules specified in Product Maintenance Procedures shall be followed strictly.
Consumables or certain parts may have their own label with an EFUP value less than the product. Periodic
replacement of those consumables or parts to maintain the declared EFUP shall be done in accordance
with the Product Maintenance Procedures.
This product must not be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste, and must be collected separately and
handled properly after decommissioning.

Signa HD & HDx 1.5T & 3.0T Systems, Signa HDi 1.5T System, Discovery MR750 3.0T, Discovery MR450
1.5T and Optima MR450w
Table 2-55: Table of hazardous substances’ name and concentration.

Hazardous substances' name

Component name
(Pb) (Hg) (Cd) (Cr(VI)) (PVBB) (PBDE)
Magnet X O O X O O
Patient Table X O O X O O
Systems Cabinet X O X X O O
Coils X O O X O O
Global Operating Console (GOC) X O X X O O
Chiller O O O O O O
Accessories (Uninterruptable Power Supply) X O X X X X
LCD Monitor O X O O O O

O: Indicates that this toxic or hazardous substance contained in all of the homogeneous materials for this
part is below the limit requirement in SJ/T11363-2006.
X: Indicates that this toxic or hazardous substance contained in at least one of the homogeneous materials
used for this part is above the limit requirement in SJ/T11363-2006
Data listed in the table represents best information available at the time of publication.
Applications of hazardous substances in this medical device are required to achieve its intended clinical
uses, and/or to provide better protection to human beings and/or to environment, due to lack of reasonably
(economically or technically) available substitutes.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 2-161

Signa HDe 1.5T, Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 Systems

Table 2-56: Table of hazardous substances’ name and concentration.

Hazardous substances' name

Component name
(Pb) (Hg) (Cd) (Cr(VI)) (PVBB) (PBDE)
Magnet X O O X O O
Patient Table X O O X O O
Systems Cabinet X O X X X X
Coils X O O X O O
Global Operating Console (GOC) X O X X O O
Chiller O O O X O O
Accessories (Uninterruptable Power Supply) O O O O O O
LCD Monitor O X O O O O

2-162 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Glossary

3
3D multi slab
An image mode used in Time-of Flight vascular imaging for acquiring multiple overlapping 3D
slabs.

3DASL
3D Arterial Spin Labeling

9
90° Pulse
A pulse that rotates the magnetization vector 90° from longitudinal static magnetic field direction.
This converts the longitudinal agnetization into transverse magnetization.

A
A
Anterior

AA
Anterior Array

AB
Adapter Block

ABB
Adapter Block Bridge

ACPC
Anterior Commissure - Posterior Commissure

ACR
American College of Radiology

ACT
Active

ADC
Apparent Diffusion Coefficient

AIF
Artery Input Function

ART
Acoustic Reduction Noise

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-1

Artifact
An error in the reconstructed image that does not correspond to the patient. There are three
major forms of artifacts that can occur in MR imaging and contribute to poor image quality: geo-
metric distortion, inhomogeneous signal intensity, and spurious signal.

ARW
Arrhythmia Rejection Window

ASPIR
Adiabatic Spectral Inversion Recovery

Asymmetric Echo
An echo whose peak, at TE, is not centered in the sampling window. Also called fractional echo or
partial echo.

Asymmetric Field of View (AFOV)

1. An FOV in which the vertical and horizontal dimensions are not equal. Simular to the rectangular
FOV selected. 2. An imaging enhancement activated by choosing one of two FOV options: square
pixel or variable FOV. Asymmetric FOV is useful for any scan which has anatomy smaller than the
FOV in the phase direction. See FOV and square pixels.

Available Imaging Time (AIT)

In cardiac gating, the time during which data can be collected by the MR system.

Average Flow
A Flow Analysis measurement. Summation of voxel values in a given flow region (ml/min), reflect-
ing the volume per minute passing through the defined flow region of a specified cardiac phase or
cycle.

Average Velocit
A Flow Analysis measurement. Flow Q (expressed in cm3/sec) divided by the cross-sectional area
A (expressed cm2) of a vessel: V = Q/A (cm/sec); 1/2 Vmax for laminar flow.

Averaging
A SNR-enhancing technique in which the same MR signal is added up, and then the sum is divided
by the number of signals acquired.

AW
Advantage Workstation

AWS
Auto Water Suppression optimization

B
BAT
Bolus Arrival Time

BF
Blood Flow relative

Bipolar Flow-Encoding Gradients

Two gradient pulses of identical shape, but opposite polarity. Used in order to encode velocities as
changes of phase, as used in Phase Contrast angiography.

Glossary-2 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

BOLD
Blood Oxygen Level Dependent

BPM
Beats Per Minute. The average heart rate as shown by the cardiac waveform display.

BRAVO
BRAin VOlume Imaging

BREASE
BREAst Spectroscopy Examination

BSP
Blood SuPpression

BV
Blood Volume relative

C
C
Cervical

Cardiac Phase Images

Images demonstrating different times or phases within a cardiac cycle.

CBF
Cerebral Blood Flow

CD
Compact Disc

CD-R
Compact Disc-Recordable

CD-ROM
Compact Disc - Read Only Memory

CEMRA
Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography

CIET
Clinical Image Extraction Tool

Cine
Generated images for dynamic views of anatomy such as the heart. This option employs ret-
rospective gating techniques and a Gradient Echo pulse sequence.

CNR
Contrast-to-Noise Ratio. Ratio of the absolute difference in intensities between two regions to the
level of fluctuations in intensity due to noise.

Collapsed
A Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP), also called Maximum Pixel Projection (MPP) from TOF mag-
nitude images, or PC weighted-phase images. The collapsed image is the MIP in the slice

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-3

direction.

COMB
Combine

Complex Difference
A flow reconstruction type for Phase Contrast Vascular Imaging providing control of the Slab
Dephasing Gradient and Phase Correction. Complex Difference reconstructions have the Dephase
Gradient off and Phase Correction on.

Contrast Resolution
An image function providing the ability to differentiate anatomical density differences with respect
to surrounding anatomical regions.

Coronal
The horizontal plane along the longitudinal axis of the body dividing it into anterior (front) and pos-
terior (back) halves.

COSMIC
Coherent Oscillatory State acquisition for the Manipulation of Imaging Contrast

CSF
Cerebral Spinal Fluid

CSI
Chemical Shift Imaging

CV
Control Variable

D
DAQA
Daily Automated Quality Assurance

Decubitus Position
Describes the position of a patient lying on the left or right side.

Diastole
The period between the end of the T-wave and the beginning of the R-wave in the cardiac cycle.
Also called ventricular filling.

DICOM
Digital Imaging and COmmunications in Medicine

DQA
Daily Quality Assurance

DTI
Diffusion Tensor Imaging

DVD
Digital Versatile Disc

Glossary-4 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

DVD-R
Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable

DWI
Diffusion Weighted Imaging

Dynamic-Range Compression
A method of enhancing Phase Contrast image quality by applying a projection Dephasing Gradient
to suppress signal from stationary tissues.

E
eADC
enhanced Apparent Diffusion Coefficient

ECG
ElectroCardioGram

Echo Rephasing
Re-establishment of spin phase coherence, accomplished via a 180 degree RF pulse or gradient
switching.

EDR
Extended Dynamic Range. An imaging enhancement that uses 32-bit processing instead of the
conventional 16-bits to improve SNR.

Effective R-R interval (RR)

The inverse of bpm (Beats per Minute) measured in msec: RR = 60,000 divided by bpm.

Effective TR
The average repetition time, or TR, in cardiac gating. Measured as the number of RR intervals
between successive excitations of a particular slice location - e.g., RR, 2xRR, 3xRR, 4xRR.

Effective value
A typical or average value - for example, effective TR. Since you can not control your patients
heart rate, you can not control true TR in a gated study. You can control the effective TR by telling
the system not to trigger at every beat.

EMF
Electro Magnetic Field

EPI
Echo Planar Imaging

ESP
Echospace

ETL
Echo Train Length. The number of 180° refocusing pulses played out during one TR period.

Even-Echo Rephasing
Rephasing of moving spins on symmetric, even echoes (e.g., 2, 4, or 6) in Multi-Echo sequences.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-5

F
Fat/Water Suppression (F/W)
An imaging enhancement technique that suppresses signal within the imaging volume from either
fat or water by applying a frequency-selective saturation pulse.

FC
Flow Compensation

FID
Free Induction Decay. The measurable magnetic resonance signal that occurs as the transverse
magnetism, produced by the application of the 90° pulse, decays toward zero.

First-Order Phase Correction

Phase errors in a Phase Contrast image can be modeled as a linear shading across the image in
the x and y direction. In first order Phase Correction, the slopes of the x and y shading are deter-
mined to reduce the shading.

FLAIR
FLuid Attenuated Inversion Recovery

Flip Angle
Flip angle is the rotational angle of the magnetization vector produced by a RF pulse relative to the
longitudinal axis of the static magnetic field. Flip angle adjusts contrast.

Flow Analysis
A flow reconstruction type for Cine-PC and 2D PC providing control of the Slab Dephasing Gradient
and Phase Correction. Flow Analysis reconstructions have the Dephase Gradient off and Phase
Correction off.

Flow Axis
Flow Axis: The orthogonal axis (S/I, R/L, A/P) for which flow has been encoded in a flow image.

Flow Encoding
A technique used in MR to measure or display motion such as blood flow within vessels.

Flow-Related Enhancement
A process by which the signal intensity of moving fluids, like blood or CSF, can be increased com-
pared with the signal of stationary tissue. Occurs when unsaturated, fully magnetized spins
replace saturated spins between RF pulses.

fMRI
functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

FOV
Field Of View. The area of the anatomy being imaged, usually expressed in centimeters. FOV
image size is a function of the acquisition matrix

FOV Center
The center of a scan image, which is ideally located at the magnet’s isocenter.

FPS
Frames Per Second

Glossary-6 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Fractional Echo
A feature instructing the system to collect just part of the data it normally would. Reduces sus-
ceptibility and flow artifacts.

Fractional NEX
A feature instructing the system to use about half or exactly three-quarters of the phase encoding
acquired in conventional imaging. Decreases scan time significantly.

Free Induction Decay (FID)

The measurable magnetic resonance signal that occurs as the transverse magnetism, produced
by the application of the 90° pulse, decays toward zero.

Frequency
The scanning direction associated with the frequency gradient. Usually corresponds to the imag-
e’s long axis.

FRFSE
Fast Recovery Fast Spin Echo

FRFSE-XL
Fast Recovery Fast Spin Echo eXel

FSE
Fast Spin Echo

FSE-XL
Fast Spin Echo eXcel

FTMRA
Fluoro Trigger Magnetic Resonance Angiography

FTP
File Transfer Protocol

G
Gating
An MR technique for imaging rapidly moving anatomy such as the heart. Uses equipment such as
a standard electrocardiograph to trigger data acquisition.

GEM
GEMatrix

GMN (Gradient Moment Nulling)

The application of gradients to correct phase errors caused by velocity, acceleration or other
motion. First-order gradient nulling is the same as Flow Compensation.

Gradient Momen
In MR angiography, the first moment describes a gradient’s effect on the phase of a spin with con-
stant velocity; the second moment, its effect on spins experiencing acceleration; the third
moment, its effect on spins experiencing jerk.

GRASS
Gradient-Recalled Acquisition in the Steady State

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-7

GRE
Gradient Echo

GSPS
Gray Scale Presentation State

GVF
Gamma Variate Fit

Gx
Symbols for MR gradients. Subscripts indicate the spatial direction of each gradient.

Gy
Symbols for MR gradients. Subscripts indicate the spatial direction of each gradient.

Gz
Symbols for MR gradients. Subscripts indicate the spatial direction of each gradient.

H
HD
High Definition

HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HIS
Hospital Information System

HNU
Head Neck Unit

HR
Heart Rate

HTML
HyperText Markup Language

I
I
Inferior

IA
Infusion Angiography

IDEAL
Iterative Decomposition of Water and Fat With Echo Asymmetry and Least-Squares Estimation

INo
Image Number

InRX
In prescription

Glossary-8 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

INRX
In prescription

Intersequence Delay
The time between each image in the cardiac cycle.

Intravoxel Spin-Phase Dispersion

A loss of phase coherence and therefore, signal intensity that can result when a wide spectrum of
flow velocities exist, when higher orders of motion like acceleration are present, or when there
are minor variations in magnetic field homogeneity.

IP
Internet Protocol

IR
Inversion Recovery. A pulse sequence that inverts the magnetization and then measures the recov-
ery rate as the nuclei return to equilibrium. This rate of recovery depends on T1.

iROC
in-Room Operator Console

IROC
In-Room Operator Console

Isocenter
The point at which the three gradient planes cross.

Isochromats
Spins sharing the same phase and frequency at a given point in time.

Isometric Contraction
The time immediately after the R-wave when the heart prepares for contraction but does not
change in volume.

IT
Information Technology

IVI
Interactive Vascular Imaging

J
J-Coupling
Also called Spin-Spin Coupling. The interaction between multiple lines and nuclei. When this inter-
action takes places the nuclei split their energy levels according to J (the spin-spin coupling con-
stant).

L
L
Left

LAVA
Liver Acquisition with Volume Acceleration

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-9

LED
Light Emitting Diode

LIC
Legacy Image Converter

LIP
Left to right, Inferior to superior, Posterior to anterior

LPCA
Low Profile Carriage Assembly

LR
Lower Right

M
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
The creation of images using the magnetic resonance phenomenon. The current application
involves imaging the distribution of hydrogen nuclei (protons) in the body. The image brightness in
a given region usually depends jointly on the spin density and the relaxation times. Image bright-
ness is also affected by motion such as blood flow.

Magnetic Resonance Signal

The electromagnetic signal (in the radio frequency range) produced by the precession of the trans-
verse magnetization of the spins. The rotation of the transverse magnetization induces a voltage in
the coil. This voltage is amplified by the receiver.

Magnetic susceptibility
In electromagnetism, the magnetic susceptibility is the degree of magnetization of a material in
response to an applied magnetic field. The intensity of magnetization, I, is related to the strength of
the inducing magnetic field, H, through a constant of proportionality,k, known as the magnetic sus-
ceptibility. I = kH.

MDE
Myocardial Delayed Enhancement

MID
Multiple Image Display

MIP
Maximum Intensity Projections. A technique for producing multiple projection images from a vol-
ume of image data (i.e., 3D volume or a stack of 2D slices). The volume of image data is processed
along a selected angle and the pixel with the highest signal intensity is projected onto a two-dimen-
sional image.

MOD
Magnetic Optical Disk

MPH
MultiPHase

MPR
Mullti Planar Reformat

Glossary-10 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

MPS
Manual PreScan

MR
Magnetic Resonance. The absorption or emission of electromagnetic energy by nuclei in a static
magnetic field after excitation by a suitable RF pulse.

MR Conditional
An item that has been demonstrated to pose no known hazards in specified MR environment with
specified conditions of use. Field conditions that define the MR environment include static mag-
netic field strength, spatial gradient, time rate of change of the magnetic field (dB/dt), RF fields,
and specific absorption rate (SAR). Additional conditions, including specific configurations of the
item (eg, the routing of leads used for a neurostimulation system), may be required.

MR safe
An item that poses no known hazards in all MR imaging environments. With this terminology, MR
safe items are non-conducting, non-metallic, and non-magnetic items, such as a plastic Petri dish.
An item may be determined to be MR safe by providing a scientifically based rationale rather than
test data.

MR unsafe
An item that is known to pose hazards in all MR environments. MR unsafe items include magnetic
items such as a pair of ferromagnetic scissors. ASTM standard F2503 also describes how MR Safe,
MR Conditional and MR Unsafe device Icons are to be used for MR labeling of implants and
devices.

MRA
Magnetic Resonance Angiography

MRCP
Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatographies

MRS
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

MSMP (Multi-Slice
Multi-slice, multi-phase cardiac gating pulse sequence that produces images at multiple heart
locations and several different cardiac phases at each location.

MSSP (Multi-Slice
Multi-slice, single-phase cardiac gating pulse sequence that produces images at multiple heart
locations, each at a different phase of the cardiac cycle.

MTT (SVD
Mean Transit Time with standard deviation

Multi-Phase)
Multi-slice, multi-phase cardiac gating pulse sequence that produces images at multiple heart
locations and several different cardiac phases at each location.

N
NEX
Number of EXcitations. The number of times a pulse sequence is repeated in a given acquisition.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-11

NTP
Network Time Protocol

O
OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer

OSF
Over Sampling Factor

P
P
Posterior

PA
Posterior Array

PAC
Physiological Acquisition Control

PACS
Picture Archiving Communications System

PC
Phase Contrast

PD
Protoon Density

PDF
Portable Document Format

PD-weighted
Proton Density-weighted

PFO
Patent Foreman Ovale

PFOV
Phase Field of View

PG
Peripheral Gated

Phase Encoding
The act of localizing an MR signal by applying a gradient pulse to alter the phase of spins before sig-
nal readout.

PIU
Percent Integral Uniformity

Glossary-12 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

PJN
Projection

PL
Post Labeling

PM
Planned Maintenance

PPM
Parts Per Million

PPS
Performed Procedure Step

PRESS
Point RESolved Spectroscopy

PROBE
PROton Brain Exam

PROBE-P
PROton Brain Exam - PRESS

PROBE-S
PROton Brain Exam-Steam

PROC
Processed

Projection Dephasing Gradient

A gradient applied to diminish signal from stationary tissues in thick slab 2D Phase Contrast angio-
graphy.

PROPELLER
Periodically Rotated Overlapping ParallEL Lines with Enhanced Reconstruction

PROSE
PROstate Spectroscopy Examination

PROSP
Prospective

PSCD
PreSCannD

PSD
Pulse Sequence Database. A series of RF and gradient pulses and the intervals between them
used in conjunction with gradient magnetic fields to produce magnetic resonance images.

Pulse Length or Width

The duration of a pulse, expressed in milliseconds.

PURE
Phased array UnifoRmity Enhancement

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-13

PVA
Peripheral Vascular Array

PW
Perfusion Weighted

PXE
Paradigm Presentation Engine

Q
QC
Quality Control

R
R
Right

RAS
Right, Anterior, Superior

RBw
Receive Bandwidth

RCA
Right Coronary Artery

rCBF
relative Corrected Blood Flow

rCBV
relative Blood Volume

Readout Gradient
A gradient pulse, applied when an MR signal is collected, used for frequency encoding.

Refocusing
The re-establishment of phase coherence via gradient or RF pulse. See Echo Rephasing, Gradient
Echo, and Gradient Moment Nulling.

Relaxation Time
The time required for 63% of the nuclei to revert to their original state in the magnetic field after
the RF pulse is turned off.

Rephasing Gradient
A gradient applied in the opposite direction of a recent selective excitation pulse, in order to cor-
rect for gradient-induced phase shifts.

RF
Radio Frequency. The frequency (intermediate between audio and infrared frequencies) used in
magnetic resonance systems to excite nuclei to resonance.

Glossary-14 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

RF Pulse
A burst of RF energy which, if it is at the correct Larmor frequency, will rotate the macroscopic
magnetization vector by a specific angle, dependent on the amplitude and duration of the pulse.

RFA
Reduced Flip Angle

RFMT
Reformat

RIS
Radiology Information System

rMTT
relative Mean Time to Transit

ROI
Region Of Interest

R-R Interval
That part of an ECG waveform representing the heart’s electrical activity showing the time
between the peak of one R-wave and the peak of the next one. Each R-R interval represents the
length of one cardiac cycle.

RTIA
Real Time Interactive Acquisition

RTSAR
Real Time Specific Absorption Rate

RxD
Prescribed

S
S
Superior

SAR
Specific Absorption Rate refers to the Radio Frequency power absorbed per unit of mass of an
object (Watts/kg). Absorption of RF energy may result in increased tissue temperature.

SAT
SATuration Pulse. A slice-selective RF pulse applied, often followed by a Dephasing Gradient, to
saturate spins and therefore minimize their signal. Used, for example, to minimize signal from
flowing blood in the slice direction.

Saturatio
Repeated application of radio frequency pulses in a time that is short compared to the T1 of the tis-
sue, producing incomplete realignment of the net magnetization with the static magnetic field.

Scan Time
The amount of time needed to acquire data.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-15

SCIC
Surface Coil Intensity Correction

SCP
Service Class Provider

SCU
Service Class User

Single-Phase)
Multi-slice, single-phase cardiac gating pulse sequence that produces images at multiple heart
locations, each at a different phase of the cardiac cycle.

Slice Select
The scanning direction associated with the slice-select gradient. Usually corresponds to the direc-
tion of the scanning range.

SLIP
Spatial LIPid Suppression

SNo
Series Number

SNR
Signal-to-Noise Ratio. The ratio of signal amplitude to noise - i.e., the amplitude of signal emitted
by the patient’s protons, divided by the amount of patient noises and electronic noise inherent in
any electronic instrument.

Spatial Encoding
A method by which data is collected in order to formulate a three-dimensional image in a two-
dimensional plane.

SPGR
SPoiled Gradient Echo

Spoiler Pulse
A gradient pulse applied to dephase spins and to minimize or eliminate residual signal.

SPS
Scheduled Procedure Step

SPT
Software Performance Test

SR
Structured Report

SSAVE
Screen Save

SSFP
See Steady State Free Precession. 1. A Gradient Echo pulse sequence designed for acquiring T2-
weighted images in 3D mode. 2. A condition achieved by repeatedly exciting an MR sample with
phase-coherent RF pulses at a repetition rate (TR) which is shorter than T2.

Glossary-16 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

SSRF
Spectral Spatial Radio Frequency

STEAM
STimulated Echo Acquisition Mode

STIR
Short TI Inversion Recovery

SwiFT
Switch on the Fly Technique

T
T1
The characteristic time constant for the magnetization’s return to the longitudinal axis after being
excited by an RF pulse. Also called Spin Lattice or Longitudinal Relaxation Time.

T2
The characteristic time constant for loss of phase coherence among spins, caused by their inter-
action, and the resulting loss in the transverse-magnetization MR signal. Also referred to as Spin-
Spin or Transverse Relaxation Time.

T2*
The characteristic time constant for loss of transverse magnetization and MR signal due to T2 and
local field inhomogeneties. Since such inhomogeneities are not compensated for by gradient
reversal, contrast in gradient-echo images depends on T2*.

TD
Time Delay

TE
Echo Time. The time between the center of the excitation pulse and the peak of the echo, which
usually occurs at the center of the readout.

TE Min
The shortest possible TE time for a given prescription, used to minimize flow dephasing and T2
effects.

TE1
The time from the middle of the first excitation pulse to the middle of the first readout in an Asysm-
metrical Spin Echo pulse sequence.

TE2
The time between the middle of the first excitation pulse and the middle of the second readout in
an Asysmmetrical Spin Echo pulse sequence.

TEA
TE Averaged

Threshold
A technique for setting the desired pixel signal intensity values the system uses to process an
image.

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-17

Throughplane
A flow-encoding direction which is perpendicular to the imaging plane.

TI
Inversion Time. The time between the center of the 180° inversion pulse and the center of the
acquired k-space segment.

TLT
Top Level Test

Tmax
Time to maximum value of Residue function, which represents the tracer delay effect at a pixel

TOF
Time of Flight

TP
Trigger Point

TPS
Transceiver Processing and Storage

TR
Time to Repeat or Repetition Time. The time between successive excitations of a slice. That is, the
time from the beginning of one pulse sequence to the beginning of the next.

TRICKS
Time Resolved Imaging of Contrast Kinetics

Trigger
In cardiac/respiratory gating, signal sent by the cardiac/respiratory monitor to activate data acqui-
sition.

Trigger Delay
The time between the occurrence of the triggering pulse and the actual onset of imaging.

Trigger Window (TW)

In cardiac gating, a period during which no further data can be acquired. During this period, the
system waits for the next R-wave trigger, which initiates a new sequence of data acquisition.

TTP
Time to Peak

TW
Trigger Window

U
UDO
Ultra Density Optical disk

UL
Upper Left

Glossary-18 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

USB
Universal Serial Bus

V
Velocity Encoding (VENC)
A value entered to prescribe the highest velocities to be encoded without aliasing in Phase Con-
trast angiography.

VIBRANT
VIBRANT

VOF
Venous Output Function

VOI
Volume Of Interest

VPN
Virtual Private Network

VPS
Views Per Segment

VSS
Very Selective Saturation

W
W/L
Window width and window level

Water Suppression
The suppression of the water signal in a MR spectrum, usually by a specialized excitation
sequence.

WEEE
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Weighted-Phase Images
Images that present flow data. Directional-flow images demonstrate flow along a single axis;
speed-flow images combine all flow information into a single presentation.

X
XETA
eXtended Echo Train Acquisition

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Glossary-19

Glossary-20 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

Index

0
0.7T Service schedule 2-145

1
1.5T Service schedule 2-151

3
3.0T Security Zone warning sign 2-32
3.0T service schedules for HDx and HDx prior 2-155
3DFSPGR post contrast 2-104

9
99 dB(A) 2-132

A
about this manual 1-2
acoustic noise 2-64
Add/Subtract images
caution 2-108
autoclaves 2-113

B
Biological effects 2-36
Boil-off of cryogens 2-95
BrainWave
warning 2-101
BRAVO post-contrast 2-104
Breast Coil 2-85
Brivo MR355 service schedule 2-158

C
cables and equipment connections 2-81
Cables and equipment connections 2-84
cardiac cables 2-85
Cardiac coil padding 2-128
Cardiac gating equipment 2-84
cardiac leads 2-85
CD/DVD
caution 2-101
chronaxie 2-58

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Index-1

claustrophobia 2-78
cleaning chemicals to avoid 2-113
cleaning MR system 2-113
clinical hazards 2-77
Clinical Mode 2-25
clinical screening 2-86
Concentric cylinders 2-50
Contact point heating 2-70
contact with liquid cryogens 2-138
Contraindications for use 2-15
cryogen levels 2-137
cryogen vapor 2-136
cryogens 2-55

D
dewars 2-55
dielectric pads
caution 2-101
display warnings and cautions 2-100, 2-108
Disposable ear protection 2-64, 2-132

E
earplugs 2-64, 2-132
electrodes 2-85
Electromagnetic Environment - Guidance 2-19
Electromagnetic fields 2-66
emergemcy personnel training 2-4
Emergency Off 2-93, 2-134, 2-139
Emergency Stop 2-92, 2-133
Environmental symbols 2-7
equipment emergencies 2-134
evacuate the MR suite 2-134
evacuate the MR suite | Primary.Translated_operator_manual [22] 2-136
Exclusion Zone 2-34
exclusion zone procedure 2-119
Exclusion Zone Warning Sign 2-34
exhaust fan 2-114, 2-136
cleaning 2-114
eye makeup 2-72

F
ferromagnetic 2-28
Ferromagnetic objects 2-37
ferrous 2-28

Index-2 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

fire department 2-134

First controlled mode 2-61
First Level 2-26, 2-59, 2-73
First Level Controlled Operating Mode 2-25
First 2-58
Mode
Forces and Torques 2-41
Fringe field 2-26
frostbite 2-138
FuncTool
cautions 2-109
FunctTool
warning 2-109

G
GEHC contact information 2-3
GEM coil
cautions 2-105
warnings 2-105
Gradient magnetic fields 2-57
Guidance And Manufacturer’s Declaration 2-19
gurneys 2-37

H
HDxt 1.5T service schedule 2-148
HDxt 3.0T service schedule 2-148
helium level 2-137
Helium Level Meter 2-137
HFO Peak gradient field value in the patient gap 2-49
HFO Static Spatial Gradients 2-48
high-risk patients 2-78
HVAC 2-23
hydrogen peroxide 2-113

I
IDEAL
caution 2-101
caution | Primary.Translated_operator_manual | [17] 2-108
IEC 2-59
IEC 60601-1-2 2-18
IEC 60601-2-33 2-17, 2-40, 2-64
IEC compliance 2-18
IEC gradient output limits 2-60
implant heating 2-72

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Index-3

Indications for use 2-11

Instructions for use 2-13
IR-Prepared post-contrast 2-104
IRB 2-17, 2-26
IV pole 2-37
IVpole
caution 2-101

J
jewelry heating 2-72

L
laser alignment lights 2-81, 2-82
laser alignment lights | Primary.Translated_operator_manual [10] 2-132
latex 2-91
LAVA-Flex
caution 2-108
Liquid Cryogen Hazards 2-55

M
Magnet Monitor Unit 2-137
magnet room layout 2-90
Magnet Rundown 2-95
Magnetic field basics 2-25
Magnetic Field Plots 2-48
Magnetic Rundown Unit 2-116
Mandatory symbols 2-6
Manufacturer information symbols 2-7
MAVRIC 2-102
maximum gradient output 2-58
metallic implants 2-6, 2-15, 2-30, 2-32, 2-34, 2-90, 2-119, 2-122
MR-Touch
caution 2-103
warning 2-103
MR Common Chiller 2-24
MR compatibility 2-89
MR compatibility procedures 2-140
MR conditional 2-15, 2-39
MR Conditional 2-102
MR operator cleaning schedule 2-115
MR room exhaust fan 2-114
MR safe 2-15, 2-39
MR Safety Standard 2-17
MR safety symbols 2-8

Index-4 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

MR Terminology
MR unsafe 2-15, 2-39
MR worker 2-17, 2-25, 2-26, 2-57, 2-62, 2-62, 2-64, 2-86, 2-87
pregnant 2-25
MR worker screening 2-121
MR workers 2-13, 2-86
MR 2-61
worker
MR450 service schedule 2-142
MR450w service schedule 2-142
MR750 service schedule 2-142
MR750w service schedule 2-142
Multi-Echo FGRE FSPGR
caution 2-103
music sound system 2-64

N
Normal 2-73
Normal Mode 2-58
normal operating mode 2-26, 2-59
Normal Operating Mode 2-25

O
Operating modes
STL or T/s limits 2-60
Optima MR360 service schedule 2-158
oxygen tanks 2-37

P
PAC symbols 2-8
paitent screening 2-86
Patient Alert bulb 2-91
Patient Alert system 2-91
patient burn protection 2-125
Patient comfort module 2-67
Patient comfort symbols 2-7
patient emergencies 2-90, 2-133
patient eyes and ears protection 2-132
patient orientation
warning 2-104
Patient padding 2-126
patient preparation 2-123
patient screening 2-121

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Index-5

Patient transfer
caution 2-104
Patient weight
caution 2-104
patient 2-70
burn
PDU Power Off 2-94
Peak force product 2-40
Peak gradient of the main magnetic field 2-40
Peak main magnetic field 2-40
Peak static spatial gradients tables 2-42
peripheral gating sensor 2-85
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation 2-61
physiological monitoring 2-81, 2-85
PM service 2-115
PNS 2-61
PNS Limit 2-60
PNS patient complaints 2-63
PNS probability 2-62, 2-62
Post-contrast scans 2-104
Prescan
caution 2-105
Product identification labels 2-5
Prohibited symbols 2-6
projection images 2-79

Q
quench 2-55, 2-95, 2-114, 2-134, 2-136
Quench decay time 2-56
Quench vent failure hazards 2-56

R
Radiation oncology
caution 2-105
requipment hazards 2-81
Restrictions on use 2-12
rheobase 2-58

S
Safety Information 2-3
Safety review 2-139
Safety Terminology
MR conditional 2-15, 2-39
MR Safe 2-15, 2-39

Index-6 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

SAR 2-13, 2-66

SAR definitions 2-73
SAR limits 2-75
scan warnings and cautions 2-100, 2-101
scanning hazards 2-79
screening form 2-87
Second Controlled Operating Mode 2-59
Second Level 2-26, 2-59, 2-73
Second Level Controlled Operating Mode 2-25
Security Zone 2-28
security zone procedure 2-119
Security zone warning sign 2-31, 2-31
3.0T 2-32
Service schedule
0.7T 2-145
1.5T HDx 2-151
3.0T HDx and HDx prior systems 2-155
HDxt 1.5T and 3.0T 2-148
MR360 MR355 2-158
MR750, MR450, MR450w 2-142
Spatial magnetic field data 2-39
Specific Absorption Rate 2-73
Static magnetic fields 2-26
Static spatial gradients on concentric cylinders 2-50
stereotactic frames 2-72
surface coil cable 2-85
Surface coil padding 2-127
surface coils 2-85
Symbols
Environmental 2-7
Mandatory 2-6
Manufcaturer information 2-7
MR Safety 2-8
PAC 2-8
Patient comfort 2-7
Prohibited 2-6
warning 2-5
system maintenance 2-112

T
table emergencies 2-96
Table Transport Emergency Release 2-98
temperatur and humidity specs 2-23
Thermal hazards 2-67

2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13 Index-7

thermoregulatory 2-67
Tissue heating 2-67
Torque 2-40
Translational Force 2-40
transport emergencies 2-96

U
Undock pedal 2-98
up/down pedals 2-98
User Training 2-4

V
ventilators 2-37
VIBRANT-Flex
caution 2-108
Volume Viewer
cautions 2-110
warnings 2-110

W
Warning
Brainwave 2-101
Warning symbols 2-5
wheelchairs 2-37
Whole body padding 2-126

Index-8 2381696-100 (07/2012) Rev.13

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