Tattoo inks EM characterization for MRI interaction evaluation

The lack of knowledge about the safety implications of tattooed individuals subjected to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may, sometimes, lead to an exaggerate reaction from physicians such as the avoidance of the exam for tattooed patients. To explore the actual risks, in this work, the magnetic and electrical properties of five different tattoo inks have been measured to investigate their interaction with the MRI electromagnetic (EM) fields. Results highlight that the magnetic and electrical behaviour strongly depend on the type of analyzed ink. Magnetic measurements also reveal a different response between the ink solutions and the relative pigments.