Gelled versus nongelled phantom material for measurement of MRI-induced temperature increases with bioimplants

Measurements in phantoms are used to predict temperature changes that would occur in vivo for medical implants due to the radio frequency (RF) field in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study, the impact of concentration of the gelling agent in a saline-based phantom on the RF-induced temperature rise was measured using an apparatus that accurately reproduces the RF environment present in a 1.5-T whole-body MR system. The temperature was measured using fluoroptic thermometry at the electrode and other sites for a deep brain neurostimulation system. The average power deposition in the 30-kg phantom was about 1.5 W/kg. Four phantom formulations were evaluated, using different concentrations of polyacrylic acid (PAA) added to saline solution, with NaCl concentration adjusted to maintain an electrical conductivity near 0.24 S/m. The greatest temperature rises occurred at the electrode, ranging from 16.2°C for greatest concentration of PAA to 2.9°C for only saline solution. The temperature rise attained the maximal value for sufficient concentration of PAA. Similar behavior was observed in the temperature versus time relationship near a current-carrying resistor, immersed in gel and saline, which was used to model a localized heat source. The temperature rise for insufficient PAA concentration is reduced due to convection of phantom material. In conclusion, an appropriate gelling agent is required to accurately simulate the thermal properties of body tissues for measurements of RF-induced heating with medical implants.