Physical damage to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) unit
Oct 22, 2009
Claims Professional, Equipment Damage Experts
Scenario
This loss involved a 3-Tesla MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) unit. One (1) Tesla is approximately 50,000 times stronger than the magnetic field strength of the earth.
MRI is used to acquire an internal representation of the body without using surgery, dyes or radiation. A liquid helium cooled magnet generates the magnetic field within the MRI, which aligns the nuclei of the hydrogen atoms within the body. The MRI then produces a Radio Frequency (RF) wave, which in essence adds energy to the nuclei. When the RF wave is removed, the nuclei emit energy (a resonance wave), when returning to the original alignment, which was created by the magnetic field. The released energy is detected and advanced computer processing is used to create a three-dimensional image.
A photographer was going to film the MRI and asked the MRI technician if they weights he was using to steady his lights would be safe within the MRI room. The weights are essentially cloth bags willed with metal shot or pellets. The technician indicated he was unsure and would check. He entered the room with the bag, walking backwards towards the MRI with the bag in front of him. The bag was wrenched from the technician’s hands by the magnetic pull of the MRI, striking his shoulder and injuring him. The bag entered through the front of the MRI leaving metallic "shot" throughout the patient cavity. The bag exited through the rear of the MRI, and was attracted back towards the system, again by the magnetic pull. The bag punched a hole in the rear end bell.
Challenge
Due to the nature and design of the liquid helium cooled magnet, approximately 2 full days is required just to "ramp down" the magnetic field, plus a comparable time to "ramp up" the magnet post repair. In this case, the actual repair of the MRI along with removal of the metallic shot was accomplished while the magnet was down. Additionally, the calibration and shim tools required to repair the MRI were sent at a significant cost premium to ensure four (4) day delivery instead of the standard ten (10) day delivery.
Outcome
LWG inspected the MRI, interviewed the involved personal and reviewed all of the cost documentation for the special handling that was required to expedite the delivery of the repair parts to minimize the Business Interruption (BI) claim. The review included costs for labor, repair parts, an emergency liquid helium delivery to prevent additional damage from temperature increases, and expedite charges as well as a technical review of the possible damage caused by the loss and repair options. Over seventy-five percent (75%) of the claimed repair costs were for labor.
LWG was able to confirm for the insurer that the actions taken return the equipment to a preloss condition without betterments and allowed the insured to return to operation without substantial business interruptions costs. Furthermore, LWG was able to verify that the costs associated with loss were fair and reasonable.