Demagnetized implant for magnetic resonance imaging

• US 7,609,061 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2008
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Original Assignee: Med El Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
• Inventors: Hochmair, Ingeborg
• Primary Examiner(s): Arana; Louis M
• Application Number:
  US12/171,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20090015255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 324/307, 324/309, 600/409
• US Class Current: 324/307
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/02 Prostheses implantable into the body closure means for urethra or rectum or for artificial body openings therefor A61F2/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/086 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents

Abstract

A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is described. A magnetic element in an implanted medical device is demagnetized by exposing it to an external demagnetizing magnetic field. Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient is performed. Then the magnetic element is remagnetized without removing it from the implanted medical device by exposing the magnetic element to an external remagnetizing magnetic field.

Claims

1. A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the method comprising:

a. demagnetizing a magnetic element in an implanted medical device by exposing it to an external demagnetizing magnetic field;

b. performing magnetic resonance imaging of the patient while or after exposing the magnetic element to the demagnetizing field; and

c. remagnetizing the magnetic element without removing it from the implanted medical device by exposing the magnetic element to an external remagnetizing magnetic field.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the MRI system is a high field MRI system.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the high field MRI system is at least a 3T MRI system.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the high field MRI system is at least a 6T MRI system.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the implanted medical device is a cochlear implant system.

6. An implanted medical device processed by a method according to any of claims 1 or 2-5.