Safety aspects for a pre-clinical magnetic particle imaging scanner

Abstract

Magnetic Particle Imaging is a promising new imaging technique using magnetic fields to image magnetic tracer material in the body. As with MRI systems, time varying magnetic fields raise some safety issues. The stimulation of peripheral nerves and tissues is one of them. In the paper, the stimulation thresholds are explained and an evaluation of the stimulation generated by a pre-clinical scanner is calculated. It appears clearly that, even if driving fields of high amplitude are used, cardiac arrhythmias are unlikely to be induced. However, it is yet unclear whether some peripheral nerve stimulation may be induced.