Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Several MRI centers in the U.S. have been reporting a mysterious phenomenon in which late-model iPhones stop working -- in some cases permanently -- after maintenance work on their scanners.
The first report came from a hospital in Illinois, where over three dozen newer iPhones and Apple Watches stopped working after a new magnet was installed. Shortly after that, a Delaware center reported that eight to nine late-model Apple devices died when its magnet was ramped down as part of a maintenance call.
What's causing the phenomenon? Some have speculated that it could be due to leaking helium that enters the mechanics of Apple devices and interferes with internal components. Apple recently switched to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) inside its devices, and these are known to be sensitive to helium.
But others have discounted that theory, instead speculating that powerful signals being sent out by the MRI scanner during some maintenance procedures could be causing the problem.
Have you had a similar experience at your imaging facility? Let us know by posting in our Forums, where an active discussion is already underway trying to solve this mystery.
And the next time your MRI magnet is scheduled to be serviced, you might think about leaving your phone in your car.
Road to RSNA
Last Monday, we launched our annual Road to RSNA preview of scientific sessions at RSNA 2018. Our first previews include a look at the most important sessions on artificial intelligence, women's imaging, MRI, and CT.
Each Road to RSNA section includes everything you need to know to assemble your RSNA schedule, including session times, locations, and a short synopsis of abstracts. Check it out at rsna.auntminnie.com, and look for more Road to RSNA previews on Monday.
MRI of space travel
Finally, if you're looking for another intriguing read on MRI, check out this article on how European researchers used the modality to examine the effects of extended space travel on the brain. They scanned astronauts who spent half a year on the International Space Station and found that extended periods in space did, indeed, affect brain structure.
No word yet on what it did to their iPhones.
