title: A new vascular coupling device: assessment of MRI issues at 3-tesla.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vascular grafting frequently involves a time-consuming operation. A new vascular coupling device (VCD) made from metallic material was recently developed that may be advantageous because of the reduced operative time and decreased patient risks. Because of the metal, there are safety concerns related to MRI. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to use standardized testing techniques to evaluate MRI issues for this VCD in association with a 3-Tesla MR system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The VCD (corlife oHG, Hannover, Germany) was evaluated for magnetic field interactions (translational attraction and torque), MRI-related heating, and artifacts at 3-Tesla. MRI-related heating was assessed with the VCD in a gelled-saline-filled phantom with MRI performed at a whole body averaged SAR of 2.9-W/kg for 15-min. Artifacts were assessed using T1-weighted, spin echo, and gradient echo pulse sequences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VCD exhibited minor magnetic field interactions and minimal heating (maximum temperature elevation, 1.8°C). Artifacts were relatively small in relation to the size and shape of this implant. The lumen of the VCD could not be visualized using the gradient echo pulse sequence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The metallic VCD that underwent evaluation is MR conditional for a patient undergoing an MRI procedure at 3-Tesla or less.
authors.affiliation: Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Electronic address: batitterington@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Blake
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Titterington
authors.affiliation: corlife oHG, Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: c.puschmann@corlife.eu.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Puschmann
authors.affiliation: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California and Institute for Magnetic Resonance Safety, Education, and Research, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293. Electronic address: frank.shellock@MRIsafety.com.
authors.forename: Frank G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Shellock
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D058017:Vascular Grafting / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: Artifacts; Implants; MRI; Safety; Specific Absorption Rate