MRI Safety Information

For Advanced Bionics Cochlear Implants, New Zealand

Testing has demonstrated that the Advanced Bionics HiRes implant family is MRI Conditional. Conditions vary by geography. A patient with the implant may be safely scanned with MRI only under very specific conditions. Scanning under different conditions may result in severe patient injury. 


MRI Safety Information by Type of Implant

Type of Implant MRI Field Strength (T) Spatial Gradient Field (T/m) Max Head SAR (W/kg) Max Body SAR (W/kg)
HiRes 90K Advantage     1.5T 2.5 T/m ≤ 1 W/kg ≤ 1.7 W/kg
HiRes Ultra

1.5T

3.47 T/m 13.90 T/m** ≤ 3.2 W/kg ≤ 2 W/kg
        3.0T* 6.9 T/m ≤ 2.6 W/kg ≤ 2 W/kg
HiRes Ultra 3D 1.5T 20 T/m ≤ 3.2 W/kg ≤ 2 W/kg
      3.0T 20 T/m ≤ 2.6 W/kg ≤ 2 W/kg

* For MRI the magnet has to be removed surgically. 
** With magnet removed.

 

Select the Implant name below for further MRI information

HiRes Ultra 3D HiRes Ultra HiRes 90K Implant Family

HiRes™ Ultra 3D Cochlear Implant 


Device HiRes Ultra 3D
Instructions For Use
HiResolution Bionic Ear System: HiRes Ultra 3D
1.5T magnet in place
Scanning ok under certain conditions
3.0T magnet in place Scanning ok under certain conditions

3.0T with the magnet in place

The HiRes Ultra 3D cochlear implants have a specifically designed multi-magnet assembly that allows safe MRI scanning with the magnet in place, without angular restrictions of the head, surgical removal of the magnet or a bandaging protocol.

MRI Warnings

Do not allow patients with a HiRes cochlear implant to be in the area of an MRI scanner unless the following conditions have been met:

  • The external sound processor and headpiece must be removed before entering a room containing an MRI scanner.
  • Verify that the implant, or both implants if bilaterally implanted, are compatible for conducting an MRI before proceeding. Failure to do so can lead to device movement, device damage, magnet movement, patient discomfort, or trauma and pain to the patient.


NOTE: MRI procedures are contraindicated for CLARION (C1 and CII) cochlear implant recipients. For information regarding MRI use with HiRes 90K, HiRes 90K Advantage, and HiRes Ultra cochlear implants, please contact Advanced Bionics Technical Support.

NOTE: MRI safety was evaluated only for the HiRes Ultra 3D. Interactions between non-Advanced Bionics implants and the HiRes Ultra 3D during MRI are unknown.
 

  • The recommended minimum duration of time post implant surgery prior to undergoing an MRI scan is 2 to 4 weeks in order to allow any inflammation to subside.
  • An MRI scan is not recommended if the patient has a fever.
     

Caution:

  • During the MRI procedure, you may experience pain, pressure, or discomfort. If this occurs, please notify your MRI professional.
  • Please consult with your physician prior to an MRI to determine if the benefits of an MRI are worthwhile over other imaging techniques.


MRI Safety Information

Testing has demonstrated that the HiRes Ultra 3D cochlear implant is MR Conditional. Unilateral and bilateral recipients with this device with magnet in place can be safely scanned in a horizontal closed bore quadrature coil MR system meeting the following conditions:
 

MRI Field Strength 1.5T 3.0T
Maximum Spatial Field Gradient 20 T/m
RMS Gradient Field 34.4 T/s
Peak Slew Rate 200 T/m/s
Maximum whole body averaged SAR 2.0 W/kg 2.0 W/kg
Maximum head averaged SAR 3.2 W/kg 2.6 W/kg


When tested under scan conditions defined above, the HiRes Ultra 3D cochlear implant produced a maximum temperature rise of <3˚C after 15 minutes of continuous scanning.


NOTE: During the scan, patients might perceive auditory sensations. Adequate counseling of the patient is advised prior to performing the MRI. The likelihood and intensity of the auditory sensations can be reduced by selecting sequences with a lower Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and slower gradient slew rates.
 

The largest artifact at 3.0T is >15 cm when imaged under spin echo and gradient echo sequences. Smaller artifacts are possible using different scanning parameters only.

For additional information regarding the use of an MRI scanner with a HiRes Ultra 3D cochlear implant, please contact Advanced Bionics Technical Support at technicalservices@advancedbionics.com or visit advancedbionics.com/mri.



 

HiRes™ Ultra Cochlear Implant 


Device HiRes Ultra
Instructions For Use
HiResolution Bionic Ear System: HiRes Ultra 
1.5T magnet removed
Scanning ok under certain conditions
1.5T magnet in place with MRI Antenna Coil Cover and bandaging protocol CI-7521 Scanning ok under certain conditions
3.0T magnet removed Scanning ok under certain conditions

1.5T with the magnet removed

MRI Warnings

Do not allow patients with a HiRes Ultra cochlear implant to be in the area of an MRI scanner unless the following conditions have been met:

  • The external sound processor and headpiece are MR Unsafe and must be removed before entering a room containing an MR scanner.
     

The recommended minimum duration of time post implant surgery prior to undergoing an MRI scan is 2 to 4 weeks in order to allow any inflammation to subside.

An MRI scan is not recommended if the patient has a fever.

For additional information regarding the use of an MRI scanner with a HiRes Ultra device, please contact Advanced Bionics Technical Support.



For 1.5T MRI scans with the magnet removed

  • Horizontal closed bore scanners with a static magnetic field of 1.5T (magnet removed).
  • Maximum MR system reported, whole body averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) of ≤ 2.0 W/kg at 1.5T for quadrature transmit RF body coils.
  • Maximum MR system reported, head averaged SAR of ≤ 3.2 W/kg at 1.5T for quadrature transmit RF head coils.
  • RMS gradient field of 30 T/s and peak gradient field of 150 T/s.
  • Maximum spatial field gradient of 13.90T/m at 1.5T with magnet removed
     

When tested under the scan conditions defined above the HiRes Ultra implant produced a maximum temperature of < 3° after 15 minutes of continuous 1.5T Scanning.

In MRI testing of unilateral recipient conditions, the image artifact caused by the device extends from the HiRes Ultra implant approximately 3.1 cm in a 1.5T MRI with the temporary non-magnetic plug and In MRI testing of bilateral recipient conditions 4.2 cm in a 1.5T MRI with the temporary non-magnetic plug using a spin echo or gradient echo pulse sequence.

These artifacts may result in a loss of diagnostic information in the implant vicinity.

Please note that the MRI Antenna Coil Cover CI-7521 and bandaging supplies must be on hand at the time of the MRI procedure.




1.5T with the magnet in place

MRI Warnings

Do not allow patients with a HiRes Ultra cochlear implant to be in the area of an MRI scanner unless the following conditions have been met:

  • The bandaging protocol [Refer to the MRI Antenna Coil Cover (CI-7521) IFU for details] recommended by Advanced Bionics is followed when the patient undergoes an MRI procedure with the magnet left in place, or
  • For cases that would clinically benefit from reduced device artifact (for example some head or neck scans), the internal magnet is surgically removed and possibly replaced with the temporary nonmagnetic plug before the patient undergoes an MRI procedure.
  • The external sound processor and headpiece are MR Unsafe and must be removed before entering a room containing an MR scanner.
     

The recommended minimum duration of time post implant surgery prior to undergoing an MRI scan is 2 to 4 weeks in order to allow any inflammation to subside.

An MRI scan is not recommended if the patient has a fever.

For additional information regarding the use of an MRI scanner with a HiRes Ultra device, please contact Advanced Bionics Technical Support.



For 1.5T MRI scans with the magnet in place

  • Horizontal closed bore scanners with a static magnetic field of 1.5T (magnet in place).
  • Maximum MR system reported, whole body averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) of ≤ 2.0 W/kg at 1.5T for quadrature transmit RF body coils.
  • Maximum MR system reported, head averaged SAR of ≤ 3.2 W/kg at 1.5T for quadrature transmit RF head coils.
  • RMS gradient field of 30 T/s and peak gradient field of 150 T/s.
  • Maximum spatial field gradient of 3.47 T/m at 1.5T with the magnet in place.

When tested under the scan conditions defined above the HiRes Ultra implant produced a maximum temperature of < 3° after 15 minutes of continuous 1.5T Scanning.

In MRI testing of unilateral recipient conditions, the image artifact caused by the device extends from the HiRes Ultra implant approximately 7.9 cm in a 1.5T MRI with the magnet in place and In MRI testing of bilateral recipient conditions >9.5 cm in a 1.5T MRI with the magnet in place using a spin echo or gradient echo pulse sequence.

These artifacts may result in a loss of diagnostic information in the implant vicinity.

Please note that the MRI Antenna Coil Cover CI-7521 and bandaging supplies must be on hand at the time of the MRI procedure.




3.0T with the magnet removed

MRI Warnings

The internal magnet is surgically removed and possibly replaced with the temporary non-magnetic plug before the patient undergoes an MRI procedure.

Do not allow patients with a HiRes Ultra cochlear implant to be in the area of an MRI scanner unless the following conditions have been met:

  • The external sound processor and headpiece are MR Unsafe and must be removed before entering a room containing an MR scanner.
     

The recommended minimum duration of time post implant surgery prior to undergoing an MRI scan is 2 to 4 weeks in order to allow any inflammation to subside.

An MRI scan is not recommended if the patient has a fever.

For additional information regarding the use of an MRI scanner with a HiRes Ultra device, please contact Advanced Bionics Technical Support.



For 3.0T MRI scans with the magnet removed

  • Horizontal closed bore scanners with a static magnetic field of 3.0T (magnet removed)
  • Maximum MR system reported, whole body averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) of ≤ 2.0 W/kg at 3.0T for quadrature transmit RF body coils.
  • Maximum MR system reported, head averaged SAR of ≤ 2.6 W/kg at 3.0T for quadrature transmit RF head coils.
  • RMS gradient field of 30 T/s and peak gradient field of 150 T/s.
  • Maximum spatial field gradient of 6.90T/m at 3.0T with magnet removed
     

When tested under the scan conditions defined above the HiRes Ultra implant produced a maximum temperature of < 3° after 15 minutes of continuous 1.5T Scanning.

In MRI testing of unilateral recipient conditions, the image artifact caused by the device extends from the HiRes Ultra implant approximately 4.7 cm in a 3.0T MRI with the temporary non-magnetic plug.

In MRI testing of bilateral recipient conditions 4.7 cm in a 3.0T MRI with the temporary non-magnetic plug using a spin echo or gradient echo pulse sequence.

These artifacts may result in a loss of diagnostic information in the implant vicinity.

Please note that the MRI Antenna Coil Cover CI-7521 and bandaging supplies must be on hand at the time of the MRI procedure.





Magnet Removal/Replacement Using the HiRes Ultra Magnet Tool Kit, CI‑1418

These tools must be sterilized prior to use. See the ”Guide for Reprocessing HiRes Ultra Reusable Tools” provided in the kit. 

HiRes Ultra Magnet Tool Kit contains Two (2) Magnet Insertion Tools and Two (2) Magnet Pusher Tools


HiRes™ 90k Cochlear Implant Family

Device HiRes 90k and HiRes 90K Advantage    
Instructions For Use HiResolution Bionic Ear System: HiRes 90K and 90K Advantage
1.5T magnet removed Scanning ok under certain conditions
1.5T magnet in place with MRI Antenna Coil Cover and bandaging protocol CI-7521 Scanning ok under certain conditions

MRI Safety Information

Testing has demonstrated that the HiRes 90K™ cochlear implant family is MR Conditional. Unilateral and bilateral recipients with this device can be safely scanned in an MR system meeting the following conditions:

  • Maximum MR system reported, whole body averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) of ≤ 1.7 W/kg at 1.5T for quadrature transmit RF body coils
  • Maximum MR system reported, head averaged SAR of ≤ 1 W/kg at 1.5T for quadrature transmit RF head coils
  • RMS gradient field of 30 T/s and peak gradient field of 150 T/s
  • Maximum spatial field gradient of 2.5 T/m at 1.5T with the magnet in place and 2.5 T/m at 1.5T with the magnet removed.

 

When tested under the scan conditions defined above with the patient’s head in the center of the MR scanner, the HiRes 90K Advantage implant produced a maximum temperature rise of <2.4°C after 15 minutes of continuous scanning when using a body coil and whole body averaged SAR of 1.7 W/kg.

In MRI testing of unilateral recipient conditions, the image artifact caused by the device extends from the HiRes 90K Advantage implant:

  • Approximately 6 cm in a 1.5T MRI with the temporary non-magnetic plug in place using a gradient echo pulse sequence

These artifacts may result in a loss of diagnostic information in the implant vicinity.



MRI Warning

Do not allow patients with a HiRes 90K/Advantage cochlear implant to be in the area of an MRI scanner unless the following conditions have been met:

  • The bandaging protocol recommended by Advanced Bionics is followed when the patient undergoes a 1.5T MRI procedure with the magnet left in place, or
  • For cases that would clinically benefit from reduced device artifact (for example some head or neck scans), the internal magnet is surgically removed and possibly replaced with the temporary non-magnetic plug before the patient undergoes an MRI procedure.
  • The external sound processor and headpiece are removed before entering a room where an MRI scanner is located.
  • The recommended minimum duration of time post implant surgery prior to undergoing an MRI scan is 2 to 4 weeks in order to allow any inflammation to subside.
  • An MRI scan is not recommended if the patient has a fever.
     

Caution: The bandaging protocol with use of the MRI Antenna Coil Cover was developed and approved to prevent magnet displacement and counteract magnet torque during a 1.5T MRI procedure, but some discomfort and pain at the implant site may still be experienced. Please consult with your physician if this is an issue

Caution: If discomfort persists following an MRI, please notify your physician

Caution: Failure to secure the MRI Antenna Coil Cover and internal magnet in place during MRI may result in magnet displacement or the need for surgical revision

Caution: Please consult with your physician prior to MRI to determine if the benefits of MRI are worthwhile over other imaging techniques
 

  • MRI preparations must be conducted outside of the MRI room.
  • Verify that the implant, or both implants if bilaterally implanted, are compatible for conducting an MRI before proceeding. Failure to do so can lead to device movement, device damage, magnet movement, patient discomfort, or trauma and pain to the patient.
  • MRI procedures are contraindicated for CLARION (C1 and CII) Cochlear Implant recipients.
     

For additional information regarding the use of an MRI scanner with a HiRes 90K/Advantage device, please contact Advanced Bionics Technical Support.
MRI testing of the HiRes 90K cochlear implant family with the internal magnet in place is only available in markets where regulatory approval has been received. Contact your Advanced Bionics representative for more information.

 


MRI Antenna Coil Cover

The MRI Antenna Coil Cover is intended to be used along with a bandaging protocol to allow the patient to undergo an MRI procedure with the magnet left in place. Instructions for use must be followed, including the recommended bandaging protocol.

Compression Dressing prior to MRI Procedure with HiRes 90K Users

This document will provide general guidance for applying appropriate compression dressing over the site of the implanted device (and magnet) in order to perform an MRI procedure.


Required Materials



Hurt-Free Wrap – Hospital Grade

  • Latex Free
  • 5 cm width
  • Johnson and Johnson (or equivalent)


Flexible Tape

  • Latex Free
  • 2 – 2.5 cm width
  • 3M – Nexcare (or equivalent)


MRI Antenna Coil Cover CI-7521 - Advanced Bionics



Patient Headpiece



Marking Pen



Coach Self-Adhering Elastic Bandage 3 inch (8 cm) width

  • Johnson and Johnson


Procedure


1

Place patient in sitting position to allow access to the implant site.

NOTE: If the patient is bilaterally implanted, prepare to locate both implant devices using the following steps. Both implant locations must have compression dressing placed over their magnets.

2

Secure MRI Antenna Coil Cover over implant magnet site. Place the patient headpiece (with cable removed) over the implant site. The magnets will hold the headpiece in place.


Patient headpiece magnetically attached

3

Cut a piece of the Coach bandage that is long enough to wrap around the head once..

4

Wrap this piece around the head, so that the bandage covers the patient headpiece. Make this wrap tight.


Patient headpiece under bandage

5

Outline the position of the headpiece on the bandage using a marker or pen.


Marked bandage showing outline of headpiece

6

Slip out the patient headpiece, but keep the bandage in place.


Removing headpiece with bandage in place

7

Slide the MRI Antenna Coil Cover under the bandage, lining it up with the marked outline of the headpiece.


Inserting MRI Antenna Coil Cover 

MRI Antenna Coin Cover under marked outline

8

Measure head size and bandage length needed for compression wrapping. Take the remaining Coach bandage roll, and wrap the bandage around the head once, without stretching.


Remaining Coach bandage roll wrapped once around head

9

Mark the location on the bandage that is one full wrap around the head. This is the head circumference.


Mark bandage one full wrap

Marked head circumference around head

10

Unwrap the piece of bandage with the marked head circumference, and place it on a flat surface.


Marked head circumference

11

Unroll the remaining bandage roll. Fold over the bandage start and crease at the marked head circumference.


12

Cut or tear the remaining bandage where it overlaps with the bandage start. The resulting bandage piece length is twice the head circumference.


13

Apply compression bandaging. Wrap this cut piece, this time very tightly, by stretching the marked line an additional half turn around the head.

NOTE: After 1.5 turns, the marked line should be on the opposite side of the head from where you started the wrap.


14

Continue wrapping the bandage at 150% extension for an additional 1.5 turns, resulting in 3 full turns total.

NOTE: After 3 turns, the bandage should end where you started the wrap (further is acceptable also).



After the MRI

Once the MRI procedure has been completed, gently remove the Coach Wrap, tape, and the MRI Antenna Coil Cover.

Discard all components including the MRI Antenna Coil Cover.

We Appreciate Your Request

Thank you for contacting us to assist with your hearing solutions. Count on us—a community of hearing health professionals and recipients of cochlear implants—to help you Hear and Be Heard™. A representative from Advanced Bionics will be in touch soon!

If your request needs immediate attention or you have additional questions, please contact hear@AdvancedBionics.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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