Making MRI Safer with Early-Warning Metal Detector
|
By MedImaging International staff writers Posted on 10 Feb 2009 |
|
Image: The Ferroguard Beacon display system, designed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning suites (Photo courtesy of Metrasens).
A novel metal detection system designed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning suites is saving money and lives across the United Kingdom and in the United States.
The central magnet in an MRI scanner has such a powerful attraction to ferrous metals, that it can fling a medical cart through a room, or rip a device from the body of a patient. According to a recent US study, incidents occur in every 1,000 scans, so by immediately alerting clinicians to any trace of ferrous metal entering the MRI scanning suite, the new Metrasens Ferroguard system can have a dramatic effect on improving patient safety.
A nine-year-old girl has already benefited at Russell's Hall Hospital (Dudley, UK), where she was taken into an MRI room for a head scan. The child was screened with the Ferroguard system and a strong ferrous signal was detected. It was later confirmed by X-ray that the child had two small toy magnets stuck in her nose, which may have ripped through her skin had the MRI scan continued.
A worldwide first, the new alert system was invented by Metrasens, Ltd. (Malvern, UK), a spinoff from a defense technology and security company, QinetiQ, and designed by product innovators Smallfry (Coventry, UK).
Metrasens' CEO, Dr. Simon Goodyear, commented, "The dangers of using MRI scanners can be significantly reduced by using the Ferroguard system. The American College of Radiologists is already recommending that all US MRI facilities have a warning system such as Ferroguard in each of their facilities.”
Smallfry's CEO, Steve May-Russell, added, "the commercial opportunity for this system is very exciting. Our understanding of manufacturing processes and assembly techniques has helped Metrasens enhance their product and styling, as well as reducing assembly time significantly. The need for an effective detection system is clear, and Metrasens has used Smallfry's design and intuitive warning beacon display to help realize the full market potential of their technology.”
Related Links:
Metrasens
Smallfry
The central magnet in an MRI scanner has such a powerful attraction to ferrous metals, that it can fling a medical cart through a room, or rip a device from the body of a patient. According to a recent US study, incidents occur in every 1,000 scans, so by immediately alerting clinicians to any trace of ferrous metal entering the MRI scanning suite, the new Metrasens Ferroguard system can have a dramatic effect on improving patient safety.
A nine-year-old girl has already benefited at Russell's Hall Hospital (Dudley, UK), where she was taken into an MRI room for a head scan. The child was screened with the Ferroguard system and a strong ferrous signal was detected. It was later confirmed by X-ray that the child had two small toy magnets stuck in her nose, which may have ripped through her skin had the MRI scan continued.
A worldwide first, the new alert system was invented by Metrasens, Ltd. (Malvern, UK), a spinoff from a defense technology and security company, QinetiQ, and designed by product innovators Smallfry (Coventry, UK).
Metrasens' CEO, Dr. Simon Goodyear, commented, "The dangers of using MRI scanners can be significantly reduced by using the Ferroguard system. The American College of Radiologists is already recommending that all US MRI facilities have a warning system such as Ferroguard in each of their facilities.”
Smallfry's CEO, Steve May-Russell, added, "the commercial opportunity for this system is very exciting. Our understanding of manufacturing processes and assembly techniques has helped Metrasens enhance their product and styling, as well as reducing assembly time significantly. The need for an effective detection system is clear, and Metrasens has used Smallfry's design and intuitive warning beacon display to help realize the full market potential of their technology.”
Related Links:
Metrasens
Smallfry
New
Ultrasound Needle Guidance System
SonoSite L25
New
High-Precision QA Tool
DEXA Phantom
Ultra-Flat DR Detector
meX+1717SCC
New
Half Apron
Demi
Latest MRI News
- New MRI Technique Reveals Hidden Heart Issues
- Shorter MRI Exam Effectively Detects Cancer in Dense Breasts
- MRI to Replace Painful Spinal Tap for Faster MS Diagnosis
- MRI Scans Can Identify Cardiovascular Disease Ten Years in Advance
- Simple Brain Scan Diagnoses Parkinson's Disease Years Before It Becomes Untreatable
- Cutting-Edge MRI Technology to Revolutionize Diagnosis of Common Heart Problem
- New MRI Technique Reveals True Heart Age to Prevent Attacks and Strokes
- AI Tool Predicts Relapse of Pediatric Brain Cancer from Brain MRI Scans
- AI Tool Tracks Effectiveness of Multiple Sclerosis Treatments Using Brain MRI Scans
- Ultra-Powerful MRI Scans Enable Life-Changing Surgery in Treatment-Resistant Epileptic Patients
- AI-Powered MRI Technology Improves Parkinson’s Diagnoses
- Biparametric MRI Combined with AI Enhances Detection of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer
- First-Of-Its-Kind AI-Driven Brain Imaging Platform to Better Guide Stroke Treatment Options
- New Model Improves Comparison of MRIs Taken at Different Institutions
- Groundbreaking New Scanner Sees 'Previously Undetectable' Cancer Spread
- First-Of-Its-Kind Tool Analyzes MRI Scans to Measure Brain Aging
Channels
Radiography
view channel
AI Radiology Tool Identifies Life-Threatening Conditions in Milliseconds
Radiology is emerging as one of healthcare’s most pressing bottlenecks. By 2033, the U.S. could face a shortage of up to 42,000 radiologists, even as imaging volumes grow by 5% annually.... Read more
Machine Learning Algorithm Identifies Cardiovascular Risk from Routine Bone Density Scans
A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reveals that an automated machine learning program can predict the risk of cardiovascular events and falls or fractures by analyzing bone... Read more
AI Improves Early Detection of Interval Breast Cancers
Interval breast cancers, which occur between routine screenings, are easier to treat when detected earlier. Early detection can reduce the need for aggressive treatments and improve the chances of better outcomes.... Read more
World's Largest Class Single Crystal Diamond Radiation Detector Opens New Possibilities for Diagnostic Imaging
Diamonds possess ideal physical properties for radiation detection, such as exceptional thermal and chemical stability along with a quick response time. Made of carbon with an atomic number of six, diamonds... Read moreUltrasound
view channel
New Incision-Free Technique Halts Growth of Debilitating Brain Lesions
Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), also known as cavernomas, are abnormal clusters of blood vessels that can grow in the brain, spinal cord, or other parts of the body. While most cases remain asymptomatic,... Read more.jpeg "Image: The AI-powered lung ultrasound tool outperformed human experts by 9% in diagnosing TB (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)")
AI-Powered Lung Ultrasound Outperforms Human Experts in Tuberculosis Diagnosis
Despite global declines in tuberculosis (TB) rates in previous years, the incidence of TB rose by 4.6% from 2020 to 2023. Early screening and rapid diagnosis are essential elements of the World Health... Read more
Nuclear Medicine
view channel
New Imaging Approach Could Reduce Need for Biopsies to Monitor Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men in the United States. However, the majority of older men diagnosed with prostate cancer have slow-growing, low-risk forms of... Read more
Novel Radiolabeled Antibody Improves Diagnosis and Treatment of Solid Tumors
Interleukin-13 receptor α-2 (IL13Rα2) is a cell surface receptor commonly found in solid tumors such as glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. It is minimally expressed in normal tissues, making it... Read more
General/Advanced Imaging
view channel
CT Colonography Beats Stool DNA Testing for Colon Cancer Screening
As colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, early detection through screening is vital to reduce advanced-stage treatments and associated costs.... Read more
First-Of-Its-Kind Wearable Device Offers Revolutionary Alternative to CT Scans
Currently, patients with conditions such as heart failure, pneumonia, or respiratory distress often require multiple imaging procedures that are intermittent, disruptive, and involve high levels of radiation.... Read more
AI-Based CT Scan Analysis Predicts Early-Stage Kidney Damage Due to Cancer Treatments
Radioligand therapy, a form of targeted nuclear medicine, has recently gained attention for its potential in treating specific types of tumors. However, one of the potential side effects of this therapy... Read more
Imaging IT
view channel
New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible
Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Global AI in Medical Diagnostics Market to Be Driven by Demand for Image Recognition in Radiology
The global artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnostics market is expanding with early disease detection being one of its key applications and image recognition becoming a compelling consumer proposition... Read more
Industry News
view channel
GE HealthCare and NVIDIA Collaboration to Reimagine Diagnostic Imaging
GE HealthCare (Chicago, IL, USA) has entered into a collaboration with NVIDIA (Santa Clara, CA, USA), expanding the existing relationship between the two companies to focus on pioneering innovation in... Read more
Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Phantoms Transform CT Imaging
New research has highlighted how anatomically precise, patient-specific 3D-printed phantoms are proving to be scalable, cost-effective, and efficient tools in the development of new CT scan algorithms... Read more
Siemens and Sectra Collaborate on Enhancing Radiology Workflows
Siemens Healthineers (Forchheim, Germany) and Sectra (Linköping, Sweden) have entered into a collaboration aimed at enhancing radiologists' diagnostic capabilities and, in turn, improving patient care... Read more