I have a paradigm 722 pump with CGM.
I cant get the straight answer on why I need to remove the sensor when I go in for MRI. I will take off the pump and transmitter. I know I am not entirely rationale BUT the sensor is costly, and I HATE spearing myself with the insertion needle.
Thank you if anyone has answer.
Chris
There must be some kind of interference issue between the MRI equipment and the transmitter. I imagine the same problem would exist then if you put the transmitter through an airport x-ray machine, which they warn us about with the pump too. If we’re wearing the transmitter on our body it won’t be an issue, but if we have it packed in your luggage then maybe there would be. I’m interested in hearing more about this. Here’s what the Minimed site says about MRI’s and sensors:
Q: Are there interferences with other medical equipment?
A: Do not place the Monitor in direct contact with X-rays or other medical or industrial imaging equipment. If a user is scheduled to have an X-ray, CT or MRI scan, take off sensor, transmitter and monitor. Put in new sensor after procedure.
i called Minimed and person said to take everything off, but no real great answer other than the pump and CGM may not work well after the MRI.
I specifically question the sensor (because it isnt my favorite thing to insert and the cost)
There is no reason xrays should interfere with any of this either.
I wonder if the statements are CYA or there is a real reason.
I’m guessing it’s the small amount of metal in the sensors that might mess up (or get messed up by) the MRI.
Christine,
Did you get a satisfactory answer to your question? My son is scheduled for his second MRI on his ankle this week and the reminder call indicated that he may need to remove his infusion site. Seems bizarre as they did not put him completely in the MRI machine for the last test and the infusion set does not contain any metal.
He won’t be wearing a glucose sensor, but the time he did I took a real good look at it when his week was done and the portion that is inserted under your skin looked like very fine copper filament wire to me. Copper itself is not magnetic, unless it is mixed with other metals such as iron or nickel. But who knows what exactly is in the filaments that are under the skin. It is not like you get an ingredient list on a box of sensors and in any event it looks like the connection that is made to the transmitter, definitely is sturdier that just copper under that plexi glass clip.
From what I have read, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses a very, very strong magnet together with radio waves to produce images. The magnet that is used in an MRI machine produces a magnetic field 10 x stronger than our Earths’ magnetic field. Apparently certain types of metal can cause significant errors, called artifacts, in the images. I don’t know exactly what that means, but a distorted image can’t be good and someone who is working in the MRI department must be able to guide you as to what is safe and what is not safe.
Cheryl
I neve got a great answer. I actually rescheduled my MRI because I had just inserted my new sensor. I hate the insertion (sorry, big chicken) and the sensors are so expensive. The only thing I hate more is when I get a faulty sensor. I wish the quality control was better with the sensors.
I think the MRI may mess up the pump and it may not be doing what you want it o do. You do not have to remove the infusion part of the pump—the part you insert into your body. Tha is all plastic.
Christine
From what I’ve heard there is no metal of any kind allowed inside the room with an MRI machine. I have heard a few horror stories of people being killed because of metal being in the room. The magnet in the machine draws the metal to the center … where the person is. I’d have to do some more research cause I was told about this last year, but it is definitly a safety thing for the people in the room. Also if metal gets introduced it ruins the machine which is crazy expensive.
Did a quick search and found this news article http://www.wowt.com/news/features/2/1851351.html