A Review of Numerical Simulation and Analytical Modeling for Medical Devices Safety in MRI.
OBJECTIVE
To review past and present challenges and ongoing trends in numerical simulation for MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) safety evaluation of medical devices.


METHODS
A wide literature review on numerical and analytical simulation on simple or complex medical devices in MRI electromagnetic fields shows the evolutions through time and a growing concern for MRI safety over the years. Major issues and achievements are described, as well as current trends and perspectives in this research field.


RESULTS
Numerical simulation of medical devices is constantly evolving, supported by calculation methods now well-established. Implants with simple geometry can often be simulated in a computational human model, but one issue remaining today is the experimental validation of these human models. A great concern is to assess RF heating on implants too complex to be traditionally simulated, like pacemaker leads. Thus, ongoing researches focus on alternative hybrids methods, both numerical and experimental, with for example a transfer function method. For the static field and gradient fields, analytical models can be used for dimensioning simple implants shapes, but limited for complex geometries that cannot be studied with simplifying assumptions.


CONCLUSIONS
Numerical simulation is an essential tool for MRI safety testing of medical devices. The main issues remain the accuracy of simulations compared to real life and the studies of complex devices; but as the research field is constantly evolving, some promising ideas are now under investigation to take up the challenges.
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Jacques Felblinger, Ph.D, Prof., Laboratoire IADI (UL-INSERM U947), CHRU Nancy Brabois, Rue du Morvan, 54511 Vandoeuvre Cedex, France, Tel: + 33 3 83 15 49 76, E-Mail: j.felblinger@chru-nancy.fr.
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D003198:Computer Simulation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D061214:Patient Safety; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D019736:Prostheses and Implants
Magnetic Resonance Imaging; electromagnetic field; heating; medical device; numerical simulation; safety