One of the most crucial MRI safety concerns for patients with implanted leads, such as deep brain stimulation or spinal cord simulation implants, is to predict the worst-case RF heating. Simulations are increasingly used to search for lead trajectories that generate maximum SAR amplification in the tissue, however, due to limited computing resources such models dramatically simplify internal structure of the leads. Here we show that both the internal geometry and trajectory of implanted leads need to be accounted for reliable SAR prediction. Contrary to the general belief, leads with tightly-coiled internal wires do not always generate less RF heating.
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