BioSpec User Documentation - Battery Pack and ERT Module

Battery Pack and ERT Module

The battery pack and ERT module of the animal monitoring device from SA Instruments must not be used within the gradient or RF field since they may overheat.

Locate the ERT module at the rear of the animal cradle which does not extend into the gradient / RF field. For the battery pack, different lengths of cables are provided in order to locate the battery pack at an appropriate distance.

		CAUTION
	Risk of burns or fire due to overheating of the battery pack. The battery pack and ERT module of the animal monitoring device from SA Instruments Inc can be used within the static magnetic field. However, very fast switching gradients can heat the battery pack and ERT module due to eddy currents induced. • Locate the battery pack and ERT module such that it will not be within the gradient and RF coil (examples of gradient coils, see below). • We recommend to validate the MR protocol in combination with the locations of the battery pack and ERT module initially prior to long term use: Run the protocol for 1-2 minutes, stop the scan and check surface temperatures of the battery pack and ERT module immediately. In case you detect a warming up of a module, position the module further outside and repeat the test. Otherwise, repeat the test with increased scan duration until a safe use of the modules can be guaranteed without noticeable warming up over the entire protocol duration.

How to identify the location of the gradient or RF field?

At most instruments, you will identify the gradient coil looking into the magnet bore from the animal table side. The gradient coil itself will start at the rim where the diameter of the bore decreases. Some instruments use a smaller gradient coil within the larger one (gradient insert), so that you will detect two rims. Furthermore, inside the gradient coil, the RF coil is located.

Two examples are given below. In case you cannot identify the gradient or RF coil at your instrument, please contact the hotline.

Examples to identify the gradient and RF coil within the magnet bore. View facing the instrument front at the animal table.


1 Gradient Coil 2 RF Coil	1 Gradient Coil 2 Gradient Insert 3 RF Coil