Tohoku University Cognitive Neuroscience Application Center

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Quench

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Quenching refers to the rapid evaporation of the liquid helium cooling the MRI system. This occurs when the MRI is turned off, and the magnet is de-energized, temporarily making it unusable for imaging.

Causes of Quenching:

• Natural occurrence due to some fault or issue.
• Manual activation in emergency situations (pressing the emergency magnet off button will induce quenching).

During the quenching process:

• Loud noise from the helium venting occurs.
• A mist of helium is expelled.
• Some helium may leak into the MRI room, posing a suffocation risk.

Response Procedure in Case of Quenching:

1. After MRI Stops:
   Evacuate both the experimenters and the participants to ensure safety.
2. Open the doors to let in fresh air and activate the forced ventilation fan (located next to the MRI room door).
3. Emergency Communication:
   Contact Aoba Fire Station at 022-234-1121 and explain the situation, confirming that the incident is not a fire.
4. Monitor Oxygen Levels:
   Monitor the oxygen concentration in the operation room.
   Do not re-enter the MRI room until the oxygen level returns to normal (20-21%).
5. Contact Philips:
   Immediately notify Philips Customer Support about the quenching event.

Additional Notes:

• Emergency Ventilation Fan will automatically start when the oxygen concentration falls below 18%.
• Quenching Recovery can take about one week, and costs may be incurred depending on the situation.

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