Interference Issuses of Radio Frequency Identification Devices in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Systems and Computed Tomography Scan

Abstract

We evaluated certain issues related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coupled with the use of active 2.5 GHz radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for patient identification using low field (0.3 T) MRI and computed tomography (CT) scans. We also investigated the performance of the RFID reader located outside the MRI room by considering several factors. A total of ten active RFID tags were exposed to several MRI sequences and X-rays of CT scan. We found that only card type active RFID tags are suitable for patient identification purpose in MRI environment and both wristbands as well as card tags were suitable for the same in CT environment. Severe artifacts were found in the captured MRI and CT images when the area of the imaging was in proximity to the tags. No external factors affected the performance of active RFID reader stationed outside the MRI scan room.