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Testing and Labeling Medical Devices for Safety in 

the Magnetic Resonance (MR) Environment 

Final Guidance

Sunder Rajan 

Division of Biomedical Physics 

Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories 

Center for Devices and Radiological Health

June 24, 2021
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Agenda and Objectives

• Overview of interactions of medical devices with Magnetic Resonance (MR) 

environment 

• Background on the existing approaches for the testing of devices for the 

safe use in the MR environment 

• Description of the final guidance on Testing and Labeling Medical Devices 

for Safety in the Magnetic Resonance (MR) Environment 

• Questions about the final guidance 
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Overview: Interactions of Medical 

Devices with MR Environment 

RF RESONATOR

RF RESONATOR

RADIOFREQUENCY 

(RF) ELECTRONICS

TRANSMITTER 

RECEIVER

GRADIENT COILS

GRADIENT COILS GRADIENT CURRENT 

AMPLIFIERS

STATIC FIELD MAGNET 

STATIC FIELD MAGNET

CONTROL SYSTEMS

1. Static magnetic field + spatial gradient à attractive and torqueing forces: 

projectile effect, device displacement

2. Time varying magnetic field gradients à induced currents in metal surface, 

current loop: device malfunction, tissue stimulation, device heating

3. Pulsed radiofrequency (RF) energy à Intense electromagnetic (EM) fields, 

antenna effect: thermal injury, device malfunction, tissue stimulation
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Background

• Standardization of testing for passive implants 

– American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Test Standards 

• Evolution of the Passive Implant Guidance 

– “Establishing Safety and Compatibility of Passive Implants in the 

Magnetic Resonance (MR) Environment,” dated December 11, 2014 

• Safety testing for active implantable medical devices in the MR environment 

– Covered currently by the ongoing ISO (International Organization for 

Standardization)/TS (Technical Specification) 10974 

• Identification of a need for a comprehensive guidance 

• Draft guidance issued for comment August 2, 2019: “Testing and Labeling 

Medical Devices for Safety in the Magnetic Resonance (MR) Environment” 
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Background: Relevant FDA Recognized 

Consensus Standards

• ASTM F2052: Standard Test Method for Measurement of Magnetically Induced Displacement 

Force on Medical Devices in the Magnetic Resonance Environment 

• ASTM F2119: Standard Test Method for Evaluation of MR Image Artifacts from Passive Implants 

• ASTM F2182: Standard Test Method for Measurement of Radio Frequency Induced Heating on or 

Near Passive Implants During Magnetic Resonance Imaging 

• ASTM F2213: Standard Test Method for Measurement of Magnetically Induced Torque on Medical 

Devices in the Magnetic Resonance Environment 

• ASTM F2503: Standard Practice for Marking Medical Devices and Other Items for Safety in the 

Magnetic Resonance Environment 

• IEC 60601-2-33: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of 

magnetic resonance equipment for medical diagnosis 

• ISO/TS 10974: Assessment of the safety of magnetic resonance imaging for patients with an active 

implantable medical device 
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Description: Scope of the Final Guidance of 

Medical Devices in the MR Environment

• Applies to all medical devices that might be used in the MR 

environment 

– Does not apply to the MR system or associated components such 

as accessory spacing pads and coils 

• Provides recommendations on MRI safety and compatibility 

assessments 

• Provides recommendations for labeling information to be included in 

premarket submissions (such as PMA, HDE, 510(k), IDE, and De 

Novo). 
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Final Guidance Terminology

• Active medical device 

– "medical device relying for its functioning on a source of electrical energy or any source 

of power other than that directly generated by the human body or gravity” (ISO 14708 - 1:2014 

Active implantable medical devices -- Part 1: General requirements for safety, marking and for information to be provided by 

the manufacturer) 

• Active implantable medical device (AIMD) 

– "active medical device which is intended to be totally or partially introduced, surgically 

or medically, into the human body or by medical intervention into a natural orifice, and 

which is intended to remain after the procedure” (ISO 14708 - 1:2014 Active implantable medical devices 

-- Part 1: General requirements for safety, marking and for information to be provided by the manufacturer) 

• Controlled Access Area 

– "area around the MR system, to which access is controlled to prevent harm from the 

static magnetic field” (IEC 60601-2-33:2010+AMD1:2013+AMD2:2015 CSV Medical electrical equipment -- Part 2-

33: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of magnetic resonance equipment for medical 

diagnosis) 
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Final Guidance Terminology (Cont’d)

• Passive implant 

– "an implant that serves all of its function without supply of electrical energy or any 

source of power other than that directly generated by the human body or gravity” 

• Passive medical device 

– “A medical device that serves its function without supply of electrical energy or any 

source of power other than that directly generated by the human body or gravity” 

• Magnetic Resonance (MR) environment 

– "the three - dimensional volume of space surrounding the MR magnet that contains both 

the Faraday shielded volume and the 0.50 mT field contour (5 gauss (G) line). This 

volume is the region in which a medical device might pose a hazard from exposure to 

the electromagnetic fields produced by the MR equipment and accessories” 

• Magnetic Resonance (MR) System 

– "ensemble of MR equipment, accessories including means for display, control, energy 

supplies, and the controlled access area, where provided” 
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Final Guidance Terminology Used in MRI Labeling

• MR Safe 

– "a medical device that poses no known hazards resulting from exposure to any 

MR environment. MR Safe medical devices are composed of materials that are 

electrically nonconductive, nonmetallic, and nonmagnetic.” 

• MR Conditional 

– "a medical device with demonstrated safety in the MR environment within defined 

conditions including conditions for the static magnetic field, the time - varying 

gradient magnetic fields, and the radiofrequency fields.” 

• MR Unsafe 

– "a medical device which poses unacceptable risks to the patient, medical staff or 

other persons within the MR environment”
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Addressing Hazards for Medical Devices 

in the MR Environment

• Magnetically induced displacement force (ASTM F2052) 

• Magnetically induced torque (ASTM 2213) 

• Heating (ASTM F2182, ISO/TS 10974) 

• Gradient induced vibration (ISO/TS 10974) 

• Gradient induced electrical potential (unintended tissue stimulation) (ISO/TS 

10974) 

• Rectification of radiofrequency pulses (unintended tissue stimulation) (ISO/TS 

10974) 

• Medical device malfunction (ISO/TS 10974) 

• Extent of image artifact (ASTM F2119)
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• Test report summaries, and if applicable, complete test reports should: 

– List the hazard addressed by the test 

– List the test equipment used 

– Include results and all report elements as defined in the consensus 

standard. 

• For the computational modeling report, follow the FDA Guidance: Reporting 

of Computational Modeling Studies in Medical Device Submissions . 

• When ASTM F2182 is used, scale the values for °C/(V/m) or in °C/(W/kg) to a 

temperature increase (in °C) for the exposure conditions specified in the MR 

Conditional labeling. 

• Provide a written narrative or a tabulated summary, including a narrative 

discussion of the results/conclusions 

• See also the FDA guidance: Recommended Content and Format of NonClinical Bench Performance Testing Information in Premarket Submissions

Reporting Results
Example of a Tabular Test Summary

Hazard 

Addressed

Test 

Method 

Used

Acceptance 

Criterion

Medical Device 

Configuration 

Tested

Summary of Test Results 

and Pass/ Fail, if 

Appropriate

Location in 

Submission

Image artifact ASTM F2119-

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For characterization 

purposes 

40 mm Maximum artifact extended 3 

mm from device for a Gradient 

Echo Scan at 3T

Volume 2, 

Section 10.3, 

p. 37

Magnetically 

induced 

displacement 

force

ASTM F2052-

15

Magnetic force less 

than medical device 

weight

40 mm 2 ° deflection at location where 

B =1.52 T and dB/dz = 4.67 

T/m; calculated maximum 

spatial field gradient = 30 T/m; 

pass

Volume 2, 

Section 10.4, 

p. 45

Magnetically 

induced torque

ASTM F2213-

17, Low 

friction 

surface 

method

Torque less than 

gravitational torque

40 mm No observable torque at 3T; 

pass

Volume 2, 

Section 10.5, 

p. 57

RF induced 

heating

ASTM F2182-

19e2

Heating less than 5°C 40 mm Circularly polarized (CP) 3T 

body coil, 

Temperature rise of 0.5oC/ 

(W/kg) over 15 minutes; pass

Volume 2, 

Section 10.6, 

p. 65
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MRI Safety Labeling

The labeling should include: 

• Sufficient information for a health care professional to determine whether a 

device can safely enter the MR environment 

• A separate section of your labeling entitled “MRI Safety Information.” 

• Based on assessments, MR Safe, MR Unsafe, or MR Conditional

• The appropriate symbol from ASTM F2503 and/or the corresponding term in 

the labeling 

• A patient medical device card with MRI safety information 

The MRI safety information should be readily accessible on the manufacturer’s 

website and/or by telephone.
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MRI Safety Labeling (Cont’d)

MR Safe

An item that poses no known hazards resulting from exposure to any MR environment. 

MR Safe items are composed of materials that are electrically nonconductive, 

nonmetallic, and nonmagnetic. 

By definition, MR Safe items contain no metal. 

MR Conditional 

An item with demonstrated safety in the MR environment within defined conditions 

including conditions for the static magnetic field, the time - varying gradient magnetic fields 

and the radiofrequency fields. 

Conditions of safe use should be clearly identified in the labeling. 

MR Unsafe 

An item which poses unacceptable risks to the patient, medical staff, or other persons 

within the MR environment.
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MR Conditional Labeling for Medical Devices 

Anticipated to Enter the MR System Bore

• The MR Conditional symbol and/or the term “MR Conditional” 

• Patient medical device card that includes basic MRI safety information 

• Nominal value(s) of permitted static magnetic field strength [T] 

The following information should be included when needed for the specific 

medical device. 

• The nucleus being imaged. 

– If no nucleus is listed, the nucleus is assumed to be 1H. 

• Scanner type (for example, cylindrical - bore) 

• Magnetic field (B0) orientation (for example, horizontal) 

• Maximum spatial field gradient [T/m] and [G/cm] 

• Maximum gradient slew rate per axis [T/m/s] 
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MR Conditional Labeling for Medical Devices 

Anticipated to Enter the MR System Bore (Cont’d)

• Radiofrequency (RF) field exposure 

– RF excitation (for example, Circularly Polarized (CP), Multichannel-2 (MC2)), and coil type 

– Maximum permitted specific absorption rate (SAR) [W/kg], Operating 

Mode. 

– Maximum B1+rms value [ mT ] 

– Scan duration and wait time

• MR exam exclusion zones and information on patient position 

– Include a diagram showing the exclusion zone(s) for imaging. 

• Information about image artifact. 
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MR Conditional Labeling for Medical Devices 

Anticipated to Enter the MR System Bore (Cont’d)

• Include instructions to be followed before and/or after an MR exam (for example, 

patient preparation, medical device checks, or programming for special modes) 

• Include additional instructions or information essential for safe use in the MR 

environment (for example, information about scanning patients with other devices), 

such as: 

– “Patients who have other MR Conditional devices can be scanned as long all the 

MR Conditional scan parameters for each of the devices are met. Do not conduct 

an MRI scan if any conditions for safe scanning for any device cannot be met.” 

• Include information for active medical devices about how to proceed when an alarm 

signal is present

• Include a statement such as: “If information about a specific parameter is not 

included, there are no conditions associated with that parameter.”
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Scan Duration and Wait Time in the 

Labeling for RF Heating

• For untested devices <2 cm in all directions and >3 cm from another metallic 

medical device: 

– SAR of 2 W/kg (Normal Operating Mode) and a maximum scan time of one hour, 

followed by a cooling period. 

• For devices >2cm near thermally sensitive tissue (for example, brain, eyes, neural 

tissue, testes, and ovaries): 

– Heating ≤2°C in 15 minutes in Normal Operating Mode, can be labeled for 1 hour 

of continuous scanning without a cooling period. A cooling period is required for 

longer scans. 

– Heating >2°C in 15 minutes, provide an appropriate continuous scan time with 

cooling period. 

• For devices >2 cm near thermally less - sensitive tissue: 

– Heating ≤4 °C in 15 minutes in Normal Operating Mode, can be labeled for 1 hour 

of continuous scanning without a cooling period. A cooling period is required for 

longer scans. 

– Heating >4 °C in 15 minutes, provide an appropriate continuous scan time with 

cooling period.
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MR Conditional Medical Devices Anticipated to 

Remain Outside of the MR Magnet Bore

• Include the MR Conditional symbol directly on the medical device, when 

possible. 

• Provide the positional conditions in terms of maximum static magnetic field 

(also known as gauss line restrictions), for example, 20 mT (200 gauss)

• Include information directing the user on how to proceed when an alarm 

signal is present. 

• If space permits, include the conditions for safe use on the medical device in 

a supplementary sign, as defined in ASTM F2503
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Safety in MRI Not Evaluated

• This applies to a very limited number of medical devices anticipated for use in the MR 

environment, such as certain passive implants: 

– That have historically not provided any information about MRI safety 

– With no known adverse events due to exposure to the MR environment 

• It does not apply to a device that:

– Has typically been labeled as MR Conditional or MR Unsafe 

– Is a new medical device type 

– Contains ferromagnetic material 

– Is an active device medical device 

– Is partially implanted 

• The labeling should include the following information: 

“The <insert medical device name> has not been evaluated for safety in the MR environment. It has not 

been tested for heating or unwanted movement in the MR environment. The safety of <insert medical 

device name> in the MR environment is unknown. Performing an MR exam on a person who has this 

medical device may result in injury or device malfunction.” 
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Example MR Conditional labeling for a 

passive medical device
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• Guidance Documents (Medical Devices and Radiation - Emitting Products) https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/device-advicecomprehensive - regulatory - assistance/guidance-documents-medical-devices-and-radiation-emitting-products

• FDA Recognized Consensus Standards https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfStandards/search.cfm

As listed in Section IV.B of the Guidance document: 

• The Assessment of Radiofrequency - Induced Heating in the Magnetic Resonance (MR) Environment for Multi - Configuration 

Passive Medical Devices https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/assessment-radiofrequency-

•

induced - heating - magnetic -resonance-mr-environment-multi-configuration

Reporting of Computational Modeling Studies in Medical Device Submissions https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-

•

fda - guidance - documents/reporting - computational - modeling - studies - medical - device-submissions

Requests for Feedback and Meetings for Medical Device Submissions: The QSubmission Program https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-

•

information/search - fda - guidance - documents/requests - feedback - and - meetings - medical - device - submissions-q-submission-program

Recommended Content and Format of Complete Test Reports for Non - Clinical Bench Performance Testing in Premarket 

Submissions https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/recommended-content-and-format-non-

•

clinical - bench -performance-testing-information-premarket

Submission of Premarket Notifications for Magnetic Resonance Diagnostic Devices https://www.fda.gov/regulatoryinformation/search-fda-guidance-documents/submission-premarket-notifications-magnetic-resonance-diagnostic-devices

Resources 
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OSEL_CDRH@fda.hhs.gov

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