Milgauss near an MRI machine?

[padi56]

And the simple answer is the same, why the need to wear any watch anywhere near a MRI machine just like two years ago when this thread was started..

[TARDIS]

I have had MRI and EBR as a cancer patient.

On my third treatment I had 'External Beam Radiation' for 5 weeks on a daily basis lasting about 20 minutes each session.

On each session, the staff took my clothing and watch and they all left me alone the room with the big machine while it did its business. The MRI was like a big noisy tube, but didn't bother me that much.

My SD was returned after the end of the session by a very nice Nurse.

I was never worried that my watch would be stolen and I was grateful that they looked after it during my treatment. I was told that the EMR in these machines could damage the watch and I believed them.

If I owned a Millie I wouldn't risk it either.

I was so full of radiation that I glowed in the dark!

[DJJon]

X2 on the notion that it is not a watch magnetization concern as much as a potential for projectile or pulling your arm onto the machine if it is in close proximity.

Old threads are great to new readers who never read the first go-round !

[Canadianjam2]

The real question is does it have a flex capacitor capable of producing 1.21 jigawatts?

[77T]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Gotta give credit to our new members for bring up the best and brightest missives of the past.

[Memphis]

Originally Posted by newdude

Being a MRI Tech, I am considering buying a milgauss. I will try it in my 1.5T shortbore magnet. I highly doubt that it will stay magnetized. Just put it through a Weller 75 watt soldering gun and this will demagnetize anything ferromagnetic with a few passes(if you can get it through). I think the 2010 and up Millies should have the blue parachrom spring which is non ferrous. If I have problems within the first year, I'll just send it to an A.D.

a small neurodyum magnet the size of a coin will magnetize your milgauss...

[landroverking]

While made to withstand RF field I don't believe that level is what Rolex had in mind. Take if off.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by padi56

And the simple answer is the same, why the need to wear any watch anywhere near a MRI machine just like two years ago when this thread was started..

I'm sure the OP got his answer answer by now, but I understand his question. For one working in a hospital, especially his capacity, where you don't work "in" the MRI room but may have to make frequent stops there, working near and around the machine - taking an expensive watch off a few times can be a pain in the butt.
It may be even reason enough to self sedate considering his job.

Nice thread resurrection, and very good info I didn't know before. I now know the reasoning behind the name Milgaus. Thanks TRF and thread bumper.

[mario1979]

I realize this thread is over 10 years old but maybe someone can still find this information useful. I am MRI tech working in the field for almost 20 years. I would say that it is not good practice going into an MRI room while wearing any mechanical watch because you do run the risk of magnetizing your watch and having it run faster or slower (mechanical, automatic watches) and/or draining the battery prematurely. I can also see possible damage to the watch if the strong magnetic field happens to 'torque' the springs and/or gears enough to damage their sensitive movements. In the past, I've worn cheap mechanical quartz watches ($100-$200 range) and nothing has happened to them but I have felt the magnet pull on my watch/wrist and it was uncomfortable so I don't wear them. Casio G-SHOCKS have steel in them and will pull hard towards the magnet so I don't bother with those either. In fact, they are more uncomfortable to wear then the mechanical watches IMO. As for smart watches, my Apple watch 4 does exhibit a pull towards the field which is again uncomfortable but so far the electronics have not been damaged. My old Samsung Galaxy watch however did indeed have its motherboard fried by the strong magnetic field which I had to replace twice. As for those more expensive automatic mechanical watches like the Rolex that was mentioned with a 1000 gauss resistance; I would say you're good while working outside and inside the MRI room up until you reach the far end of the patient table (towards your feet end). At that distance the magnetic field is roughly measured at around 3mT or 30 Gauss on a 3 Tesla magnet. As you get closer to the bore the field strength will go up to around 200mT or 2000 gauss. My Seiko SARB33 is rated with a resistance of 60 gauss so I know I'm good while working with it outside the MR room. At the end of the day I would say not to take any chances and remember to take off your nice watch before entering an MRI room as to not risk any damage to it. If you're an MRI tech you'll be fine working with your watch while at the console but you'll have to go through the hassle of remembering to take off it off every time you go inside. Not worth it and IMO.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by detyler

Thanks renfield33. Guess I'll take it off.

Almost did radiology, but I decided I did not have the skill set necessary to be a good radiologist. As a chemical engineer I was much better suited for anesthesiology.

David

Yeah, most Chem Es are stoners. J/K I've got a BSChe. Oops caught by the old thread bait.