MPI Safety in the View of MRI Safety Standards

In assessing the safety aspect of future clinical magnetic particle imaging (MPI), this novel imaging technique can refer to expertise that is cumulated in the IEC standard for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety. Both imaging techniques employ strong dynamic magnetic fields and therefore have to take caution to refrain from physiological effects such as peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) or excessive tissue heating. This paper starts with an outline of the differences between MPI and MRI. Then, the basics of PNS and tissue heating are reviewed and applied to the specific MPI case. Finally, sequences for MPI are presented that will allow rapid MPI imaging at 150 kHz while being safe for the patient.