Can I use tags or microchips on animals with EchoMRI™?
A. Yes, this is not a problem. In fact, some customers are already using our equipment with animals containing metal tags and microchips (note that plastic tags will have absolutely no affect on the data produced). It is important to remember that there are two types of metal: one type is magnetic (i.e. steel or iron), and the other type is not magnetic (i.e. aluminum or copper). If the tagging device is metallic, but not magnetic, then there is no dramatic effect on the data or the subject whatsoever. However, if the device is indeed magnetic, there are two potential problems: 1) the strong magnetic attraction could potentially damage the subject, and 2) the magnetic field will be substantially disturbed, causing the data results to be potentially erroneous. In such cases, it is really a judgment call and the effect of the tagging device on the overall data produced will be dependent on the ize of the metallic object.
