Grinding Metal

I first heard about this on a welding/metalworking newsgroup where it is likely to be a more frequent problem. Talked to a Dr. I know on a social level and she said that everyone is questioned about such possibilities before given a MRI. Another surprise on the road of life! Billh

electromagnetics

Hi, I had an MRI scan recently. They questioned me about any metal embedded or metal plates in my head or pins in my body. When I told them I had an incident about 20 years ago and had ended up with metal shards in my eye, they sent me straight to radiology for a skull X-ray. It is standard practice, since the MRI is so powerful it can pull any steel fragments right out of your body. I worked with a company that sold and installed MRI units. We had several incidents where cleaning staff would bring in steel buckets or other tools, and have them turn into missles. In one case a pallet jack stuck itself to the gantry (the big dough nut shaped assembly that they stick you into for your scan). When a big object gets stuck to the gantry, the only way to remove it is to shut the magnet down. To do this they have to release all the liquid nitrogen that is used to super cool the magnetic coils, remove the material, then recharge the coil wiith new liquid nitrogen. This can take several hours. You can see why they want to be careful about any iron based materials in the MRI room. Also, they have an area marked off outside the room where cardiac pacemakers are not allowed.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX ............................................................................ .......

electromagnetics

Not to mention the sparks if you try to warm up in the microwave....

electromagnetics

OBoy! Just as the great 'food safe finish' hullabaloo fades, now comes the risks of turnings decorated with metallic dusts and particles. Just goes to show that there's always something for people to be protected from. Well, um, like, you know, I go; "Thanksgiving is near and about time for our official protectors to revive the awful cranberry poisoning scare". As for Christmas ornaments; pure terrorism. Arch

Fortiter,

Wonder we're all not retarded after that beautiful tinsel in our youth, what?

I hope like heck I never need an MRI.I got enough metal in me that I told the wife,"Honey I'm canceling the insurance policy.When I die don't bury me or cremate me. Just recycle me. That should cover the funeral expenses and leave a tidy sum for the grandkids." Just kidding. But seriously. My injuries at Inchon were so extensive I had pins put in both legs,my left arm and right shoulder. I bet I'd look like a regular whirlybird if you were to put me in that MRI machine. Maybe we colud smelt down some of that steel after I'm gone and forge some "Real American" turning tools.

electromagnetics

I'm glad I wasn't in between when this happened.

Reminds me of the 'ladder ingestion test' that happened at a jet engine test facility...

Regards Dave Kassover Troy, NY