General information on MRI for volunteers

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What's Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, short MRI, is a diagnostic imaging method. It allows to produce images of the inside of the human body, to allow to investigate the structure but also the function of organs and tissues. Contrary to x-ray examinations or investigations with computerized tomography (CT), MRi does not use any X-rays.

What are the purposes of MRI studies?

The investigation, where you could volunteer, are part of the research at the Institute for biomedical Engineering (IBT) of the University and ETH Zurich, to develop new MRI methods or to improve existing sequences. (This form may also be used by other groups, which may have other research interest.) The used MRI devices with 1.5 or 3 Tesla main magnetic field strength are devices which are also used for clinical routine. The 7 Tesla MRI device is up to now not used for clinical routine, but it fulfill the same safety requirements as the devices with lower field strength. For the development of new techniques it is beside invitro tests, absolutely necessary to test them with volunteers. This is the only way to test and optimize them for clinical applications. The responsible person will provide you with the details and the goal on the current study.

What happens during MRI?

The volunteer will be placed during MRI in a longer tube which creates the strong magnetic field. During the measurement, additional magnetic fields, much smaller than the main magnetic field, will be turned on and off. This switching magnetic fields will produce loud knocking sound, with a sound level up to 120dB. Ear phones and/or ear plugs will protect your ears.
In addition radio frequency wave, similar to the radio waves in air, will be used. The different fields will be combined in a defined way that the protons in the hydrogen atom will send out a signal. With antennas these signals will be detected and the information will be used to create an image. Compared to computer tomography or X-ray, MRI is not using any ionizing radiation.

For what will the data be used?

The acquired data will only be used for research. The data will be kept confidential and data privacy is guaranteed. For the post processing and data analysis the data will be anonymized at the moment when the data is copied from the MRI device.
Images from volunteer studies do not have any diagnostic value. However, if an abnormality will be seen, the data will be reviewed by a radiologist or neuro radiologist. If there is an indication for a clinical relevant disease, a physician will inform you. The decision for any further diagnostic procedures or a treatment will be left to you and your physician.

Are there any known risks for the volunteers?
How are thy protected?

Following current knowledge MRI does not pose any risk for the human health. Known risks are due to metallic or active implants in the body, or due to ferromagnetic parts which are strongly attracted by the main magnetic field. Therefore it is important that you fill out the following questionnaire carefully. A similar form must be filled out on paper before each MRI investigation. The staff at the MR scanner will help you if needed.
The field strength of the used MRI devices is depending on the study 1.5T, 3T, or 7T. 1.5T and 3T is in clinical use since years. 7T is now since over 10 years in research in use and no chronic effects could be found. However, fast movements should be avoided next to the magnet, since they could lead to vertigo or metallic taste in the mouth. The used radio frequency fields are limited to similar values as those of the mobiles, which cannot be exceeded on the used MRI devices. Like that the heat deposition in the body is limited to values which do not pose any risk to humans. Protection against the noise of the gradient fields is done with suitable ear protection. Either ear phone or ear plugs are mandatory. If possible both will be used. During the whole procedure you can communicate whit the staff. All volunteer part of a study are protected by a study insurance. You can at any time without providing a reason and without any disadvantages stop your participation in the study.

What happens during a typical study

• Before entering the magnet room, a questionnaire has to be filled out on paper. The questionnaire will be provided at the MR center and is similar to the online questionnaire.
• For the MRI investigation you cloth provided by the hospital. Changing cubicle are available.
• Important: Please remove any metallic/magnetic parts (jewelry, watches, purse, wallet, money clip, credit cards or other cards with magnetic strips, smart phone, pens, paper clips, keys, coins, hairpins). All these things must be left outside the magnet room.
• You will be positioned comfortable on the patient bed, depending on the location of interest additional receive coils may be positioned and then you will be moved into the tube (magnet).
• During the investigation (depending on the study typical 30-90min) you should lay relaxed and you should not move.
• The measurements will be followed by a more or less loud knocking sound, which is typical for MRI.
• In case of head measurements, please do not move your head and avoid during the measurement to talk or move the face muscles. If needed you still can press the alarm button and talk to the staff.

For some of the investigations it may be required that the ECG will be recorded (mainly for cardiac investigations, but not only). For this purpose, four round electrodes will be stick on the skin of your thorax.
For some investigations (mainly for clinical routine investigations) there may be needed to inject a contrast agent (most case Gadolinium based). There are only rare side effects known. If such contrast agent would be needed for your research investigations, you will be informed in forehand.

• MRI images made during studies have no diagnistic value!
• MRI use no X-ray!
• It is very important that you will not move during the measurements!

Are you allowed to undergo an MRI?

Please answer the following questions faithful

Do you have a cardiac pacemaker, ICD, neurostimulator or any other active implantable device?	Yes	No
Do you have a hearing aid? (It has to be removed during MRI)	Yes	No
Do you have false teeth? (Removable denture have to be removed during MRI)	Yes	No
Have you had ever a surgical procedure at the heart or head?	Yes	No
Are there any metallic parts in your body? (Implants, clips after surgery, injuries by metallic fragments, gun shot wounds, shell splinters, or magnets)	Yes	No
Did you ever had an injury with a metallic fragment in your eye?	Yes	No
Have you ever worked in the metal-working industry?	Yes	No
Do you wear a transdermal patch?	Yes	No
Are there any reasons that you cannot lie still for a long time? (e.g. cold, strong itching, trembling, automatic movements, strong pain) or do you have claustrophobia	Yes	No
Do you have a tatoo pr a not removable pricing (pircing which can be remove must be removed for the MRI procedure)?	Yes	No
Are you pregnant?	Yes/don't know	No/male

Hint: The responses will be proccessed on our Webserver. But the responses will not be stored or in another way used.

All information (if not otherwise cited) are part of the handout, which has to be read and signed by each volunteer before joining a MRI investigation.