Compatibilidad con Resonancia Magnética (MRI): Materiales Seguros, Pruebas y Normativas

1. What is an MRI?
2. What are the safety standards for an MRI machine?
3. How are MRI safety tests performed?
4. Are MRI batteries compatible?
5. Final Thoughts

What is an MRI?

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging . It is a medical tool that uses powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer to see inside the human body, especially in soft tissue areas like the brain and muscles. Unlike X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans, an MRI does not use radiation. Although this means it is safer than X-rays and CT scans because it avoids radiation exposure, it does not mean it is risk-free.

What are the safety standards for an MRI machine?

Since MRIs use powerful magnets, items brought into MRI rooms must be carefully labeled for safety reasons. These labels follow strict ASTM and FDA guidelines and divide equipment into three categories:

• MRI Safe : These devices pose no known risks in MRI rooms because they contain no metallic or conductive parts. The FDA and ASTM note that MRI Safe devices are made of nonmetallic, nonconductive, and nonmagnetic materials.
  • Examples : plastics, wood, glass, most ceramics and composites, and nonmetallic fabrics.

• MRI Conditional: These devices are safe only under specific conditions, such as a maximum field strength value, absorption rate, or other parameters. They may contain metal or electronic components, but require extensive testing, and the label must clearly specify the permitted conditions.
  • Examples : titanium, aluminum, brass, copper, gold, or certain stainless steels.

• MRI Unsafe: These devices pose known risks and should never enter the MRI room. They contain ferromagnetic metals and alloys that react harshly to the magnetic field.
  • Examples : iron, nickel, or cobalt, steel, oxygen tanks, and jewelry

How are MRI safety tests performed?

The FDA explicitly recommends following the ASTM F2503 labeling standard . But how does F2503 determine each categorization? The equipment needs to pass several tests, including:

• ASTM F2052 : Measures magnetically induced displacement force.
  • Determines how much the MRI magnet can attract an object.
• ASTM F2119: Evaluates artifacts in the MRI image.
  • Determines if the object distorts or interferes with the MRI image (if it causes blurry spots, shadows, or other artifacts).
• A STM F2182 : Measures RF-induced heating.
  • Determines how much the object heats up due to the MRI radio waves.
• ASTM F2213 : Measures magnetically induced torque.
  • Determines if an object experiences twisting or turning under the influence of the magnetic field

Are MRI batteries compatible?

The magnetic field in MRIs is so strong that even batteries inside medical equipment must be properly labeled. In general, the batteries contain nickel, and their steel casings make them MRI-unsafe. However, MRI-safe and MRI-conditional batteries exist. These are usually lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries with aluminum or polymer casings. Both aluminum and most lithium compounds are nonmagnetic, so the MRI magnet does not exert a significant attraction on the battery pack.

Common equipment found on MRI Suites

Mayo Tables

Anesthesia Machines 

Multiparameter Monitor 

Final Reflection

MRI compatibility is not just about bringing equipment into the exam room. It’s about safety, preserving image quality, and adhering to strict standards. Choosing MRI-compatible solutions from a trusted refurbishment partner like Soma means receiving:

• Equipment tested to ASTM and IEC standards.
• Solutions that maintain clear, distortion-free MRI images while protecting patients and staff from magnetic hazards
• The confidence that every component—whether it’s anesthesia equipment, a patient monitor, or an accessory—has been evaluated for both performance and safety in high-field MRI environments.