1 research outputs found
The effect of the shape of a clip on the magnetic field during magnetic resonance imaging examinations
Aim Plastic clips are a diamagnetic material and produce fewer
artefacts in the MR field than titanium clips, which are standard
in neurosurgery. However, alongside their physical properties, the
shape of the clips, and their very geometry subtlety affects their
behaviour in the magnetic field. Therefore, we performed a simulation in order to establish which clips cause less disturbance in the
magnetic field from the point of view of the geometry of the body.
Methods The simulation tool used for the research was the software package COMSOL Mph version 4.3. Since it was a question of
magnetics, the models were prepared in the AC/DC module within
the option Magnetic Fields, No Currents (mfnc). Within this module we were able to analyse electro-magnetic fields for a specific
geometrical structure, using the Finite Element Method in order to
resolve the two-dimensional electromagnetic problems.
Results The value of the magnetic field with titanium clips with
their specific geometric reference lines reached the value of c.
(A/m). The simpler geometry of the plastic clips resulted in a less
intensive magnetic field, amounting to c. (A/m), which is an entire
order of magnitude less than the field with the titanium clips.
Conclusion The simpler geometry of the plastic clips and the type
of material from which they are made causes less disturbance to
the magnetic field, which was precisely confirmed with the simulation model. The use of plastic clips in neurosurgery and neuroradiology will facilitate the interpretation of MR images