An MRI-Compatible Implantable Magnet Design with Self-Realigning Orientation

Patients with "MR Unsafe" rating magnetic implants are required to undergo implant removal surgery before they can take an MRI scan. Implants labeled as "MR Conditional" can stay in the patient’s body for MRI scan under specific conditions. In this article, the authors propose an MRI-compatible implantable magnet design with orientation that can be self-realigned or with an external homing magnet. This design can be readily adopted to most of the breast tissue expander implants on the market, upgrading them from "MR Unsafe" to "MR Conditional". Prototypes are tested to verify the design. Magnetic orientation realignment effectiveness is evaluated.