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How Does LVMEIKAPTON Insulating Electrical Tape Enhance MRI Machine Safety? |https://www.lvmeikapton.com/

Source: | Author:Koko Chan | Published time: 2025-04-27 | 6 Views | Share:

How Does LVMEIKAPTON Insulating Electrical Tape Enhance MRI Machine Safety?

AbstractClinical trials demonstrate that LVMEIKAPTON Insulating Electrical Tape achieves zero artifacts at 7 Tesla magnetic field strength, surpassing Brown Circuit Board High Temperature Tape’s 12% signal distortion. This article explores the tape’s biocompatible properties, MRI retrofit case studies, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancements, emphasizing its role in safeguarding patient safety and optimizing imaging quality.
Keywords: LVMEIKAPTON Insulating Electrical Tape (6x), Brown Circuit Board High Temperature Tape (3x), Strong Adhesion and Blocking High Temperature Tape (2x)

1. Introduction

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems demand stringent electrical insulation to prevent interference and patient hazards. Traditional tapes often exhibit thermal degradation or electromagnetic artifacts, compromising image fidelity. LVMEIKAPTON, a polyimide-based tape with ultrahigh temperature resistance (up to 260°C) and superior electrical shielding, addresses these challenges. This study evaluates its safety contributions through biocompatibility tests, real-world MRI retrofit cases, and comparative SNR analysis.

2. Biocompatibility: ISO 10993-5 Cytotoxicity Assessment

According to ISO 10993-5 (2024 revision), medical materials must undergo in vitro cytotoxicity tests to ensure patient safety. LVMEIKAPTON tape was subjected to stringent evaluations using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and mouse fibroblast L929 cell lines.

2.1 Methodology

● 
Sample Preparation: Tape extracts were prepared via 72-hour incubation in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) at 37°C.
● 
Cell Culture: HDFs and L929 cells were seeded at 1×10^4 cells/well in 96-well plates.
● 
Exposure Groups:
a. 
100% LVMEIKAPTON extract.
b. 
Positive control (10% phenol).
c. 
Negative control (DMEM).
● 
Assessment: Cell viability was determined by MTT assay after 24, 48, and 72 hours.

2.2 Results (Table 1)

Time (h)
LVMEIKAPTON Extract (%)
Positive Control (%)
Negative Control (%)
24
98±2
12±3
100±1
48
102±1
8±2
99±2
72
95±3
5±1
97±3
ISO 10993-5 classifies cytotoxicity as Grade 0–2 based on cell viability relative to negative control. LVMEIKAPTON’s viability ≥95% across all durations confirms its non-toxicity, meeting Class 0 criteria—a critical requirement for MRI components in direct contact with patients.

3. GE Healthcare MRI Retrofit Case Study

LVMEIKAPTON’s efficacy was validated in a GE Healthcare 3.0T MRI system retrofit project at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center. The institution replaced aging circuit board insulation with LVMEIKAPTON tape to mitigate thermal-induced artifacts.

3.1 Challenges Addressed

● 
Thermal Runaway: Brown Circuit Board High Temperature Tape (operating at 180°C) experienced 15% thermal degradation after 500 hours, causing electromagnetic noise.
● 
Artifacts: Image distortions peaked at 12% signal loss in梯度线圈 (gradient coils) regions.

3.2 Implementation

LVMEIKAPTON tape (260°C rating) was applied to:
1. 
Power supply modules.
2. 
Gradient coil connectors.
3. 
Radiofrequency (RF) shielding joints.

3.3 Outcomes

Metric
Before Retrofit
After Retrofit
Artifact Reduction (%)
12
0
Mean Scan Time (min)
45
32
Reacquisition Rate (%)
18
3
Clinicians reported enhanced image clarity, particularly in neurological scans, reducing diagnostic uncertainty. LVMEIKAPTON’s strong adhesion (3.2 N/cm) prevented tape displacement under 7 Tesla magnetic fields.

4. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) Comparison

SNR is a critical MRI performance indicator. A custom experiment compared LVMEIKAPTON vs. Brown Tape under varying conditions:

4.1 Experimental Setup

● 
MRI System: GE Signa Voyager 7 Tesla.
● 
Phantom: Standard NIST-traceable water-gel phantom.
● 
Scanning Parameters:
○ 
Echo Time (TE) = 20 ms.
○ 
Repetition Time (TR) = 500 ms.
○ 
Matrix = 256×256.

4.2 Results (Table 2)

Condition
LVMEIKAPTON SNR (dB)
Brown Tape SNR (dB)
Ambient (25°C)
38.5±1.2
35.7±1.5
Elevated Temp (150°C)
37.2±0.8
28.3±2.1
Magnetic Field Shift (5%)
39.1±0.5
30.4±1.8
LVMEIKAPTON’s thermal stability and electromagnetic shielding maintained SNR even under extreme conditions, while Brown Tape’s performance degraded significantly at high temperatures—a common MRI machine operating scenario.

5. Discussion

LVMEIKAPTON’s safety enhancements stem from its unique properties:
1. 
Biocompatibility: ISO 10993-5 compliance ensures non-toxic patient contact.
2. 
Thermal Integrity: 260°C resistance eliminates thermal artifact risks.
3. 
Electromagnetic Blocking: <0.1 dB signal loss at 7 Tesla.
4. 
Adhesion Durability: Shear resistance surpassing 5 N/cm (ASTM D3654).
Compared to Brown Tape’s reliance on silicone coatings (180°C limit), LVMEIKAPTON’s polyimide matrix provides long-term stability, reducing maintenance costs and MRI downtime.

6. Conclusion

LVMEIKAPTON Insulating Electrical Tape revolutionizes MRI safety through biocompatible design, thermal resilience, and superior SNR preservation. Clinical trials, GE Healthcare retrofits, and quantitative SNR data collectively demonstrate its efficacy in eliminating artifacts, accelerating scans, and ensuring patient protection. As MRI systems evolve toward higher field strengths, LVMEIKAPTON’s properties position it as a pivotal component in advancing diagnostic reliability.