MRI Safety of Implants
Sim4Life supports MRI safety evaluation of implants by numerically simulating how an implant interacts with MRI electromagnetic fields. Using anatomically realistic human models and validated RF coil setups, Sim4Life can estimate implant-induced RF heating (SAR/temperature rise), assess electric field hotspots, and help predict conditions that may cause unsafe temperature increases.
Read Application NoteHeating of Active Implant during MRI
Calculating in vivo power deposition around active implantable medical devices exposed to RF fields follows a tiered approach as outlined in ISO 10974. These tiers range from Tier 1 to Tier 4, each progressively increasing in accuracy and complexity. This tutorial outlines the simulation steps for, the most advanced level, Tier 4, using computational modeling within realistic anatomical environments.
RF-Induced Heating of a Passive Implant During MRI Scanning
Placement of a knee implant via virtual surgery and coupled FDTD-thermal simulations of exposure to a birdcage coil scaled to the maximum exposure limit.
Definition of Clinical Range Implant Routing
Precise and easy placement of clinical routings of the leads of an active medical implant through the tissues of a detailed anatomical phantom of the Virtual Population, using the spline toolbox in Sim4Life. .
IMAnalytics V1.8
The new IMAnalyticsSuite V1.8: Now featuring flexible B1+ / B1- slicing, maximum intensity projections, and real-time homogeneity metrics (masked coefficient of variation (CV), slab-based averages). With these tools, you can limit power deposition analysis to exposure scenarios that meet specific B1+ uniformity requirements – simplifying compliance with evolving safety standards while reducing overestimation. Learn more about IMAnalaytics: sim4life.swiss/imanalytics
ISO 10974 Tier 4 Process in Sim4Life
Radiofrequency-induced heating of an active medical implant during MRI, in the scalp of a detailed anatomical phantom of the IT'IS Foundation Virtual Population, with coupled FDTD-thermal simulations of exposure to a birdcage coil scaled to the maximum exposure limit.
RF MRI Safety Evaluator (IMSafe)
Sim4Life’s IMSafe tool supports efficient Tier 3 radiofrequency safety assessment of active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) during magnetic resonance imaging exposure, in accordance with ISO 10974. Define constraints, generate trajectory spline groups, and extract tangential electric fields – all in just a few clicks. .
Numerical Estimation of Transfer Function for Homogeneous Tissue in Sim4Life
In the Tier 3 process, as outlined in ISO 10974, the transfer function is a key tool used to assess the safety of medical implants exposed to electromagnetic fields, experienced during MRI. This tutorial outlines the simulation steps to calculate the transfer function numerically using plane wave piecewise excitation of a standard active implantable device (SAIMD).