Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
10:22
MRM Microcoil Performance Calibration and Usage Demonstrated on Medicago truncatula Roots at 22 T
Published on: January 16, 2021
A novel active MR probe using a miniaturized optical link for a 1.5-T MRI scanner
Stephan Fandrey1, Steffen Weiss, Jörg Müller
1Institute of Micro Systems Technology, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany. s.fandrey@googlemail.com
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
|August 13, 2011
Summary
A novel all-optical active Magnetic Resonance (MR) probe offers radiofrequency-safe intravascular imaging and catheter guidance during minimally invasive procedures. This MR-safe optical link improves signal-to-noise ratio for real-time MRI applications.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Physics
Background:
- Radiofrequency (RF)-induced heating is a critical safety concern for active intravascular devices used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
- Existing active MR catheter devices require specialized solutions to mitigate RF heating.
- Real-time MRI guidance and intravascular imaging necessitate minimally invasive tools that are compatible with strong magnetic fields and RF pulses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel, miniaturized all-optical active MR probe for real-time MRI-guided interventions.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of an optical link for transmitting MR signals and power, ensuring radiofrequency safety.
- To assess the performance of the optical link in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and imaging capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Designed a miniaturized all-optical active MR probe incorporating chip components for optical modulation and a 3D self-aligning silicon bench.
- Integrated the probe into a 6-Fr catheter with 7-Fr rigid tubing, utilizing optical fibers for signal transmission and power supply.
- Conducted MRI phantom measurements within a 1.5-T MRI scanner to evaluate tip tracking and imaging performance.
Main Results:
- Successfully performed projection-based tip tracking and high-resolution imaging using the optical link inside a 1.5-T MRI scanner.
- Acquired images from a homogeneous phantom liquid and within a kiwi, demonstrating the probe's imaging potential.
- Achieved a significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio compared to previous systems, comparable to a direct electrical link.
Conclusions:
- The novel all-optical active MR probe provides a radiofrequency-safe solution for real-time MRI-guided intravascular interventions.
- The miniaturized design and optical link enable enhanced catheter guidance and intravascular imaging capabilities.
- The demonstrated SNR performance highlights the potential of this technology for advancing minimally invasive procedures.
