MR-safe multisegmental vibration device for cortical mapping of paraspinal afferent input

<p>The objective of this study was to develop an MR-safe stimulation device (pneumatic vibration device, pneuVID) that can apply vibrotactile stimulation to different thoracolumbar segments and to characterize stimulation parameters such as the amplitude and its stability for two relevant frequencies (20Hz/80Hz). This is the first apparatus specifically designed for paraspinal tissue vibration on different segmental levels in an MR environment. </p>

MR-safe multisegmental vibration device for cortical mapping of paraspinal afferent input

<p>The objective of this study was to develop an MR-safe stimulation device (pneumatic vibration device, pneuVID) that can apply vibrotactile stimulation to different thoracolumbar segments and to characterize stimulation parameters such as the amplitude and its stability for two relevant frequencies (20Hz/80Hz). This is the first apparatus specifically designed for paraspinal tissue vibration on different segmental levels in an MR environment. </p>

Introduction of a CMR-conditional cardiac phantom simulating cardiac anatomy and function and enabling training of interventional CMR procedures

Interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures promise to open-up new vistas regarding clinically relevant diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures in the field of cardiology. However, a number of major limitations and challenges regarding interventional cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) procedures still delay their translation from pre-clinical studies to human application. A CMR-conditional cardiac phantom was constructed using MR-safe or -conditional materials only that is based on a unique modular composition allowing quick replacement of individual components. A maximal flow of 76 ml/sec in the aorta and 111 ml/sec in the pulmonary artery were measured, whereas the maximal flow velocity was 56 cm/sec and 89 cm/sec, respectively. A conventional wedge-pressure catheter was advanced over a MRI-conditional guidewire into the right ventricle and thereafter positioned in the pulmonary artery. Pulmonary artery pressure was measured, obtaining the following values for our cardiac phantom: max/min/mean = 16/10/12 mmHg. The presented CMR-conditional cardiac phantom is the first of its kind that does not only mimic cardiac mechanics with adjustable fluid pressure in a four chamber setup that is closely adapted to that of the human heart, but also enables introduction and testing of interventional tools such as guidewires and catheters.

Do Patients with Implants Experience Strong Sensations That Lead to Early Termination of MRI Examinations?

Purpose. Many patients with metallic implants are aware of the potential dangers in an MRI environment. Some implants cause sensations perceptible by the patient during an MRI scan. We wanted to find out if patients having an implant abort MRI scans more often than patients without implants. Furthermore, we wanted to know if the number of implants of a patient has an influence on the number of aborted MRI scans. As we use 3T MRI scanners from different manufacturers we wanted to see the influence of the “ScanWise” software option where scan parameters are adapted automatically to the maximal allowed limits of implant values. This publication should help to reduce possible anxiety in patients with implants. Materials and Methods. From May 15th 2017 until July 17th 2018 the implant type of patients was recorded. We looked how often aborted MRI scans coincided with the occurrence of implants and the MRI scanner type used. Results. 4088 examinations were collected for the analysis. No influence of implants on aborted MRI scans was registered. No influence of the number of implants on aborted MRI scans was registered. No influence of the use of “ScanWise” software on aborted MRI scans was registered when different scanners were compared. Conclusion. “MR Safe” or “MR Conditional” labelled implants did not have an impact on the MRI examinations. “ScanWise” software does not affect how MRI examinations are tolerated.