The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published NEMA MS 8-2016 Characterization of the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Systems.
“MS 8 was substantially revised to consider the implications of higher field systems, larger bore sizes, and new sensor technologies,” says Michael Steckner, senior manager of MR research at Toshiba Corp., and the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance’s MR technical committee chair.
MS 8 is one of a series of test standards developed by the medical diagnostic industry that measures performance parameters related to the safety of MRI systems. These test standards are intended for the use of equipment manufacturers, prospective purchasers, and users alike.
MS 8 describes calorimetric and pulse energy methods of whole-body SAR measurements, and specifies tests for volume radio-frequency transmit coils that produce relatively homogeneous radio-frequency fields. Further, NEMA MS 8-2016 is available in hard copy for $87 and as an electronic download at no cost on the NEMA website.
