Numerical approach to investigate MR imaging artifacts from orthopedic implants at different field strengths according to ASTM F2119

OBJECTIVE: This study presents an extended evaluation of a numerical approach to simulate artifacts of metallic implants in an MR environment. METHODS: The numerical approach is validated by comparing the artifact shape of the simulations and measurements of two metallic orthopedic implants at three different field strengths (1.5 T, 3 T, and 7 T). Furthermore, this study presents three additional use cases of the numerical simulation. The first one shows how numerical simulations can improve the artifact size evaluation according to ASTM F2119. The second use case quantifies the influence of different imaging parameters (TE and bandwidth) on the artifact size. Finally, the third use case shows the potential of performing human model artifact simulations. RESULTS: The numerical simulation approach shows a dice similarity coefficient of 0.74 between simulated and measured artifact sizes of metallic implants. The alternative artifact size calculation method presented in this study shows that the artifact size of the ASTM-based method is up to 50% smaller for complex shaped implants compared to the numerical-based approach. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the numerical approach could be used in the future to extend MR safety testing according to a revision of the ASTM F2119 standard and for design optimization during the development process of implants.