Local cOinage and Hospital Equipment Index (Lo Hei): projectile distance of Singapore coinage and healthcare-related equipment in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner
Introduction: Modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners utilise superconducting magnets that are permanently active. Patients and healthcare professionals have been known to unintentionally introduce ferromagnetic objects into the scanning room. In this study, we evaluated the projectile risk...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer – Medknow Publications
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Singapore Medical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2024-007 |
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| _version_ | 1823863747018489856 |
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| author | Shao Jin Ong James TPD Hallinan Deborah Khoo Desmond Hoon Koon Liang Chia Joanne Hang Lycia Teo Peijing Su Michael Ong Bertrand Ang Swee Tian Quek |
| author_facet | Shao Jin Ong James TPD Hallinan Deborah Khoo Desmond Hoon Koon Liang Chia Joanne Hang Lycia Teo Peijing Su Michael Ong Bertrand Ang Swee Tian Quek |
| author_sort | Shao Jin Ong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction:
Modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners utilise superconducting magnets that are permanently active. Patients and healthcare professionals have been known to unintentionally introduce ferromagnetic objects into the scanning room. In this study, we evaluated the projectile risk of Singapore coinage as well as some common healthcare equipment within a 3 T MRI scanner.
Methods:
A rig termed ‘Object eNtry Guidance and Linear Acceleration Instrument’ (ONG LAI) was custom-built to facilitate safe trajectory of the putative ferromagnetic objects. A ballistic gel target was utilised as a human tissue surrogate to estimate tissue penetration. The point at which objects would self-propel towards the scanner was named ‘Huge Unintended Acceleration Towards Actual Harm (HUAT AH)’.
Results:
Singapore third-series coins (10-cent to 1-dollar coins) are highly ferromagnetic and would accelerate towards the MRI scanner from more than one metre away. Cannulas with their needles are ferromagnetic and would self-propel towards the scanner from a distance of 20 cm. Standard surgical masks are ferromagnetic and may lose their sealing efficacy when they are worn too close to the magnet. Among the tested objects, a can of pineapple drink (Lee Pineapple Juice) had the highest HUAT AH at a distance of more than 1.5 m.
Conclusion:
Some local coinage and commonly found objects within a healthcare setting demonstrate ferromagnetic activity with projectile potential from a distance of more than 1 m. Patients and healthcare professionals should be cognisant of the risk associated with introducing these objects into the MRI scanning room. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d48a853866f4ec2b9928b81cb894ae8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0037-5675 2737-5935 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer – Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Singapore Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d48a853866f4ec2b9928b81cb894ae82025-02-09T10:19:31ZengWolters Kluwer – Medknow PublicationsSingapore Medical Journal0037-56752737-59352024-02-01652616710.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2024-007Local cOinage and Hospital Equipment Index (Lo Hei): projectile distance of Singapore coinage and healthcare-related equipment in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scannerShao Jin OngJames TPD HallinanDeborah KhooDesmond HoonKoon Liang ChiaJoanne HangLycia TeoPeijing SuMichael OngBertrand AngSwee Tian QuekIntroduction: Modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners utilise superconducting magnets that are permanently active. Patients and healthcare professionals have been known to unintentionally introduce ferromagnetic objects into the scanning room. In this study, we evaluated the projectile risk of Singapore coinage as well as some common healthcare equipment within a 3 T MRI scanner. Methods: A rig termed ‘Object eNtry Guidance and Linear Acceleration Instrument’ (ONG LAI) was custom-built to facilitate safe trajectory of the putative ferromagnetic objects. A ballistic gel target was utilised as a human tissue surrogate to estimate tissue penetration. The point at which objects would self-propel towards the scanner was named ‘Huge Unintended Acceleration Towards Actual Harm (HUAT AH)’. Results: Singapore third-series coins (10-cent to 1-dollar coins) are highly ferromagnetic and would accelerate towards the MRI scanner from more than one metre away. Cannulas with their needles are ferromagnetic and would self-propel towards the scanner from a distance of 20 cm. Standard surgical masks are ferromagnetic and may lose their sealing efficacy when they are worn too close to the magnet. Among the tested objects, a can of pineapple drink (Lee Pineapple Juice) had the highest HUAT AH at a distance of more than 1.5 m. Conclusion: Some local coinage and commonly found objects within a healthcare setting demonstrate ferromagnetic activity with projectile potential from a distance of more than 1 m. Patients and healthcare professionals should be cognisant of the risk associated with introducing these objects into the MRI scanning room.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2024-007ballistic gelmagnetic resonance imagingprojectilesafetytissue penetration |
| spellingShingle | Shao Jin Ong James TPD Hallinan Deborah Khoo Desmond Hoon Koon Liang Chia Joanne Hang Lycia Teo Peijing Su Michael Ong Bertrand Ang Swee Tian Quek Local cOinage and Hospital Equipment Index (Lo Hei): projectile distance of Singapore coinage and healthcare-related equipment in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner Singapore Medical Journal ballistic gel magnetic resonance imaging projectile safety tissue penetration |
| title | Local cOinage and Hospital Equipment Index (Lo Hei): projectile distance of Singapore coinage and healthcare-related equipment in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner |
| title_full | Local cOinage and Hospital Equipment Index (Lo Hei): projectile distance of Singapore coinage and healthcare-related equipment in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner |
| title_fullStr | Local cOinage and Hospital Equipment Index (Lo Hei): projectile distance of Singapore coinage and healthcare-related equipment in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner |
| title_full_unstemmed | Local cOinage and Hospital Equipment Index (Lo Hei): projectile distance of Singapore coinage and healthcare-related equipment in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner |
| title_short | Local cOinage and Hospital Equipment Index (Lo Hei): projectile distance of Singapore coinage and healthcare-related equipment in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner |
| title_sort | local coinage and hospital equipment index lo hei projectile distance of singapore coinage and healthcare related equipment in a 3t magnetic resonance imaging scanner |
| topic | ballistic gel magnetic resonance imaging projectile safety tissue penetration |
| url | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2024-007 |
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