Safety testing and operational procedures for self-developed radiofrequency coils

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Novel radiofrequency (RF) coils are crucial for ultrahigh-field (≥7 T) MRI, non-proton, and body applications.
• Existing safety standards may not adequately address the increased risks of inhomogeneous RF fields and localized power deposition at higher frequencies.
• Comprehensive risk analysis and safety testing are often overlooked in RF coil development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present institutional guidelines for ensuring the safety of RF coils used in human ultrahigh-field MRI.
• To highlight specific considerations for SAR-related safety and electrical performance at ultrahigh fields.
• To stimulate discussion on minimum safety standards for RF coil design and operation.

Main Methods:

• Detailed description of institutional procedures for electrical and mechanical safety tests.
• Guidelines for specific absorption rate (SAR) simulation and verification.
• Implementation of risk analysis, operational procedures, documentation, user training, and quality assurance testing.

Main Results:

• Established a comprehensive protocol for RF coil safety testing and risk management.
• Addressed specific challenges related to SAR and electrical performance at ultrahigh magnetic fields.
• Provided a framework that can be adapted by other research groups to enhance coil safety.

Conclusions:

• The proposed guidelines help identify and mitigate safety issues during RF coil design and operation.
• Adherence to these procedures is essential for the safe application of novel RF coils in human MRI.
• Further discussion and consensus on minimum coil safety standards are encouraged.