Comparison of Magnetic Field Characteristics among 3 Tesla MRI Scanners: An Experimental Measurement Study

TL;DR

This study experimentally maps and compares the fringe magnetic fields of three 3 Tesla MRI scanners, revealing significant differences influenced by installation factors, which are not captured by theoretical models.

Contribution

It introduces an experimental methodology for measuring and mapping MRI fringe fields, highlighting real-world variations among identical models.

Findings

Notable differences in fringe fields among the scanners

Site-specific factors significantly influence magnetic field distribution

Experimental maps provide insights beyond theoretical projections

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners have advanced significantly, with a growing use of highfield 3 T systems. This evolution gives rise to safety concerns for healthcare personnel working in proximity to MRI equipment. While manufacturers provide theoretical Gauss line projections, these are typically derived under ideal open-environment conditions and may not reflect real-world installations. For this reason, identical MRI models can produce markedly different fringe field distributions depending on shielding and room configurations. The present study proposes an experimental methodology for the mapping of the fringe magnetic field in the vicinity of three 3 T MRI scanners. Field measurements were interpolated to generate threedimensional magnetic field maps. A comparative analysis was conducted, which revealed notable differences among the scanners. These differences serve to highlight the influence of site-specific factors on magnetic field propagation.