by
Sean Ruck, Contributing Editor | September 16, 2015
From the September 2015 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
That there aren’t visible RF artifacts with your existing shield does not guarantee it will meet new magnet requirements. A new MR vendor will require an RF certification test of current shield performance to assure it meets new magnet requirements before accepting the decision to reuse.
An MR vendor will not guarantee new magnet image performance unless the shield meets the new system’s RF specifications. Minimal modifications will include new and/or relocation of MR vendor penetration panels and possibly new or additional magnetic shielding. Such modification costs will be dependent on shield vendor design adaptability. You’ll also want to verify the balance of the existing shield warranty and determine if the limited warranty on necessary modifications can affect future usage costs. Ultimately, diagnosis of existing shield problems may be difficult and expensive to address in terms of cost and project schedule
Mike Lahita, Shielding Resources Group: This could be a loaded question. If the physical dimensions of the existing enclosure are acceptable for the new system, then the first thing I recommend is to do a baseline RF shielding effectiveness test to determine if the existing enclosure meets the RF shielding requirements of the new system or magnet. If the enclosure meets the “new” S/E requirements, then I recommend modifications and or repairs. If the enclosure fails to meet the S/E required, the enclosure may only need a few minor fixes to meet the S/E required.
Diego Copa, SDI Worldwide: The first step is a baseline test to understand the current state of the shield. The second step is to understand the type of shielding currently installed. Depending on spec, these systems have different life spans and warranties. Third, is to understand the type and strength of the magnet being installed and analyze where the pacemaker line will be located with relation to the new magnet, in order to address the potential matter of magnetic shielding.
Corey Hess, MRI Shielding: Will the new MRI require magnetic shielding? If so, you will have to demolish some of the existing RF shielding to make way for the magnetic shielding. Again, marrying an old shield with new RF shielding can prove difficult. If the existing shield meets the required shielding specifications and size requirements, then retrofitting for the new MRI unit is a manageable undertaking. This scope of work typically costs about a third of that of a new shield.
