MRI Shielding Products
1-800-381-5335
When a medical facility contains an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suite, the MRI equipment has to be shielded from any local environment interference, as from computers, other medical equipment, and appliances which may emit radio frequency signals disturbing MRI measurement. Equally importantly, the local environment has to be shielded from RF and magnetic interference, as strong magnetic fields can mechanically damage sensitive instruments, discharge batteries, or erase magnetic media. Particularly important is that any item containing ferro-metals can be drawn to the MRI equipment with great force.
To shield MRI suites or entire buildings, MarShield can install MRI shielding materials to walls, floors and ceilings. This protects people working or living in strong magnetic fields, and prevents electronic equipment from being damaged by these fields.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging method used by radiologists to view internal body structures using combinations of radio waves and magnetic fields. An MRI is a large noninvasive device which utilizes the properties of magnetism to create nondestructive, three-dimensional, internal images of the soft tissues of the body, including the brain, spinal cord and muscle.
Exposing the patient to radio waves in a strong magnetic field generates data that are used by a computer to create images of tissue slices that may be viewed in any plane or from any direction. The magnetic field lines up atomic particles in the tissues called protons, which are then spun by a beam of radio waves and produce signals that are picked up by a receiver in the scanner. It is these signals that are processed by the computer to produce images.
Other Medical Shielding Products
Secondary Radiation Shields
MarShield's full body shielding barriers are designed to shield medical personnel from harmful secondary (scattered) radiation in examination rooms, operating rooms, intensive or cardiac care units, mammography, and nuclear medicine suites. Choose from MarShield's most popular standard shields or allow us to custom design a unit to suit your application.
Shielding Apparel
Lead aprons are recommended for use by radiation workers. These are classified as a secondary barrier to the effects of ionizing radiation which protect an individual only from scattered radiation, not the primary beam. The thickness of lead in the protective apparel determines the protection it provides. It is known that 0.25 mm lead thickness attenuates 66% of the beam at 75kVp and 1.0 mm attenuates 99% of the beam at same kVp. It is recommended that for general purpose radiography the minimum thickness of lead equivalent in the protective apparel should be 0.5 mm. It is recommended that women radiation workers should wear a customized lead apron that reaches below midthigh level and wraps completely around the pelvis. Other protective apparel include eye glasses with side shields, thyroid shields and hand gloves.
Lead-Lined Cabinets
MarShield manufactures a wide range of custom designed lead-lined furniture. For nuclear medicine, for example, our unit dose cabinet is ideal where space is limited. With multiple storage compartments this lead shielded cabinet houses a host of radioactive sources. The top cupboards can have an optional sharps container cut out with lid for spent syringes or waste. The bottom draws are perfect for storing source pigs on their sides, syringes or radioisotopes. All six sides including the drawer and cupboard faces are lead lined.
MarShield also carries a full line of interlocking lead bricks, sheet lead, lead shot, and other pure lead products suitable for nuclear radiation shielding. Whether your requirement is for personal MRI shielding, nuclear medicine storage or MRI room containment, MarShield has a product for you. When the MarShield name is on your product, you can trust that you are in good hands!
MarShield (radiation protection, storage and shielding products) is a division of Mars Metal Company, North America's premier lead casting, fabrication and finishing facility. Other divisions include Mars Metal Specialty Casting (counterweights, window weights and custom lead castings & fills) and MarsKeel (custom lead keels).
Contact us today at 1-800-381-5335
11/20/2008