Abstract #1464

A Simple Cost-Efficient Magneto Alert Sensor (MALSE) Against Static Magnetic Fields

Tobias Frauenrath¹, Wolfgang Renz², Thoralf Niendorf^1,3

¹Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility, Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany; ²Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany; ³Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Charit Campus Buch, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany

While MR is a diagnostic imaging tool which saves lives, magnetic forces of fringe magnetic field components of MR systems on ferromagnetic components can impose a severe occupational health and safety hazard. With the advent of ultrahigh field MR Systems including passively shielded magnet versions this risk - commonly known as missile effect /1/ - is pronounced. Numerous accidents have been reported ranging from mechanical damage to patient death. These casualties are probably most widely known through television documentaries and printed media but still present the tip of the iceberg of safety violations (/2/ /3/ /4/). Various policies have been implemented around the world to safeguard healthcare workers, volunteers and patients with the ultimate goal of avoiding unforeseen disasters and injuries.