Meeting Banner
Abstract #1637

An MR-Compatible Solution for Simultaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulation and MR Imaging at 3T

Alireza Akbari1, Conrad P. Rockel1, Dinesh A. Kumbhare1, 2, Michael D. Noseworthy1, 3

1School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; 2Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; 3Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

An MR-compatible solution that delivers electrical stimulation pulses from an EMG/stimulator unit to the subject in the magnet bore is presented. This allows for quantitative and repeatable muscle activation in the study of dynamic muscle physiology using techniques like BOLD or DTI. The solution has been tested for any image artifacts or RF heating caused by the stimulation electrodes. BOLD images of the calf muscle with electrodes on at rest and while being stimulated have been presented.

Abstract PDF

Keywords

accomplished activation almost amplitude application applications around array artifacts assessment basic biomedical blood bold bore cable cables calf cell channel circuit clip closed coil commercial commercially compatible components conduct conductive constant contaminated control decreased delivered delivering delivers dependent differ direct distortion done drop dropped dynamic electric electrical electricity electrode electrodes enables enabling engineering ensure especially evaluated expected freq frequencies frequency future gels general generating geometric gradient gradients head heads healthy heating impedance importantly improperly in vivo induced innervates instruments interference investigation issues knee known latter leads localized located long male medial medicine monitored motor muscle nerve newer optical oxygen peak phantom physiology placed plastic potential power powerful presence prior pulse pulses quality quantitative ranging rehabilitation repeatable restricts room routinely safe scanning school section series sets setup simple simultaneous since sites skin slew slice solution spectroscopy stimulated stimulating stimulation stimulations stimulator stimulus subject surface system target temperature thermometry touching unit useful wanted waveguide width