Air-Actuated Olfactometer for MRI Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivering controlled odor stimuli to subjects inside an MRI scanner is challenging due to the hostile magnetic environment and the need for stable, controllable airflow, which existing technologies fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
An MRI-compatible olfactometer system utilizing air-actuated valves, a non-magnetic odor box, and a nose piece, which uses compressed air to direct odorized breathable air to the subject, ensuring safe and precise odor delivery within the scanner suite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional solenoid valves are used to control odor delivery, then precise stimulus control is achieved, but the system becomes incompatible with MRI scanner environments due to ferrous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic solenoid valves with a pneumatic valve system actuated by compressed air. This substitution eliminates ferrous materials incompatible with MRI scanners while maintaining precise control over odor delivery timing and flow rates through air pressure regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses compressed air as the actuating medium for valve control and odor delivery. The pneumatic system includes an air supply, flow meters, and air-actuated valves that open/close odor canister access without requiring electromagnetic components, ensuring full MRI compatibility while achieving millisecond-level stimulus control
2Manufacturing precision
If fast-acting valves are used to achieve square-shaped odor pulses, then stimulus precision is improved, but residual odor contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the airflow path into separate channels: a main odor-free air flow and a separate odor canister access path. This allows the odorized air to be rapidly introduced and then quickly isolated, enabling fast stimulus onset/offset while preventing residual odor contamination through dedicated cleaning flushes
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a cleaning mechanism where odor-free air is used to flush and clear residual odor from the delivery system between stimuli. This discarding of contaminated air and replacement with fresh odor-free air minimizes carryover effects while maintaining fast stimulus presentation capabilities
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and safe delivery of odor stimuli with fast onset and offset, minimizing residual odor contamination and tactile cues, allowing for effective central processing studies of olfactory information.
Implementation Method 1
The valve may be actuated using compressed air to thereby direct the breathable air into the odor canister
Data Source
AI summary
An olfactometer is disclosed. Such an olfactometer may include a control unit, an odor box, and a nose piece in communication with the odor box. The control unit may include a reservoir, and a compressor for supplying pressurized air to the reservoir. The odor box may include at least one compressed air actuated valve, and at least one odor canister in communication with the valve. A compressed air flow and a breathable air flow are both released from the reservoir and directed to the valve. The compressed air flow actuates the valve to thereby direct the breathable air to the odor canister to odorize the breathable air. The odorized breathable air is then directed to the nose piece.