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Nano-coating To Make Implants MRI Safe

Makarand writes "Patients who have implants containing any kind of metal cannot be MRI scanned as the powerful electromagnetic radio waves can induce currents large enough to heat the metal in implants to over 70 C and damage surrounding tissue. Now, Biophan, a biomedical devices company, has developed a nano-coating material that can protect implants by preventing most of the radio waves from reaching the internal components of the implant by reflecting them. It's high electrical resistance also prevents currents from flowing around the implant's surface and heating any nearby body tissue. Biophan's coating is a mixture of poorly conducting nanoparticles held in an insulating matrix. The coating is a mere three micrometres thick and can cut the energy induced in an implant by 89 per cent."

3 of 56 comments (clear)

  1. Wow! Safe MREs! by More+Karma+Than+God · · Score: 2, Funny

    So when will they make them edible?

    Eh? It's MRI? Darn.

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  2. PSA by Henry+V+.009 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Never, never, never, carry scissors into the MRI room.

    The best thing about this technology, of course, is that we will be able to wear pace-makers into the qwikee-mart again.

  3. Re:pulled out by one9nine · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Nothing ferrous is ever supposed to be allowed into the same room."

    So really hairy men can't get MRIs either?