title: Numerical prediction of temperature elevation induced around metallic hip prostheses by traditional, split, and uniplanar gradient coils.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The paper presents a computational study for the estimation of the temperature elevation occurring in a human subject carrying metallic hip prostheses when exposed to the magnetic field produced by gradient coils.
  
  
  METHODS
  The simulations are performed through validated numerical codes, which solve the electromagnetic and thermal equations applied to a high-resolution anatomical human model. Three different sets of gradient coils (traditional, split and uniplanar) are considered to evaluate the maximum steady-state temperature elevation in the human body. This result is then rescaled to take into account the waveform of the signal, the duty-cycle and the duration of the scan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several exposure situations obtained by changing the patient's position are analyzed, finding temperature elevations on the order of some degrees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are of possible concern and provide evidence of the need for further specific investigations aimed at assuring the safety of potential patients carrying metallic hip implants. Magn Reson Med 74:272-279, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zilberti
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Oriano
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bottauscio
authors.affiliation: Politecnico di Torino, Dipartimento Energia, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiampi
authors.affiliation: Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hand
authors.affiliation: School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
authors.forename: Hector Sanchez
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.affiliation: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Rüdiger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brühl
authors.affiliation: School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crozier
keywords: gradient coils; hip prostheses; temperature elevation