RF-induced heating comparison between in-vivo and in-phantom for 1.5T MRI

The RF-induced heating is one of the main problems in diagnostic MRI. The standard way to assess the RF-induced heating is to perform experimental or computational phantom studies. Due to the inherent differences in geometry and electrical parameters between the phantom and the human body, the induced RF-induced heating assessed in the phantom is typically not be the same as in human body. In this study, we investigate the difference in RF-induced heating between in-vivo and in-phantom assessment for an orthopedic femur and a humerus plate systems at 1.5T (64 MHz). We found that for this particular device the RF-induced heating for the in-phantom simulations is always higher than for the in-vivo simulations. However, to accurately predict the maximum in-vivo heating it is necessary to perform computational modeling using anatomically correct computer models and accurate computer models of the implant.