Segmented Medical Device for MRI Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices used with MRI machines face challenges in achieving a balance of torque, stiffness, and flexibility while ensuring compatibility to prevent heating and image distortion, as existing devices often resonate with RF waves, causing heat generation and artifacts in MRI images.
Innovation Solution
Designing medical devices with elongated members of conductive materials that are less than half the wavelength of MRI radio waves, connected using low-conductive joints or non-conductive materials to impede electrical current flow, and utilizing materials like nitinol and tungsten that do not distort MRI images or generate excessive heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If elongated members are made conductive to enable MRI compatibility, then MRI image quality improves, but heat generation and resonance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated member is divided into multiple discrete conductive segments (first elongated member, second elongated member, etc.) that are separated by non-conductive joints. This segmentation prevents continuous current flow along the entire length of the device, reducing resonance and heat generation while maintaining MRI compatibility through the distributed conductive elements
Solution Approach 2:
Non-conductive joints (adhesive joints, mechanical joints with non-conductive materials) are introduced as intermediary elements between conductive elongated members. These joints impede electrical current flow while maintaining structural connection, allowing the device to maintain flexibility and torque characteristics without creating continuous conductive paths that would cause resonance
2Temperature
If elongated members are connected using non-conductive joints to prevent current flow, then heat generation is reduced, but device strength and continuity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The device structure transitions from uniform construction to localized differentiation: conductive elongated members provide strength and structural integrity in their respective segments, while non-conductive joints provide electrical isolation only where needed. Each segment maintains full mechanical strength, and the assembly of segments with joints preserves overall device continuity and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs composite construction combining conductive materials (for elongated members requiring strength and torque) with non-conductive materials (for joints requiring electrical isolation). This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical strength, flexibility, and MRI compatibility without compromising any single property
3Object-affected harmful factors
If elongated members are segmented to reduce resonance, then MRI compatibility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated member is divided into multiple discrete conductive segments (first elongated member, second elongated member, etc.) that are separated by non-conductive joints. This segmentation prevents continuous current flow along the entire length of the device, reducing resonance and heat generation while maintaining MRI compatibility through the distributed conductive elements
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional requirements (structural support, torque transmission, flexibility, and electrical isolation) are merged into a unified segmented architecture. The conductive segments provide mechanical strength and torque characteristics, while the non-conductive joints provide both connection and electrical isolation, eliminating the need for separate components for each function
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
The solution enhances MRI compatibility by reducing resonance and heat generation, allowing for effective navigation and imaging without artifacts, while maintaining necessary torque and flexibility characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
each adjacent pair of conductive elongate members is connected in a suitable manner to impede electrical current flow from one elongated member to the next
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device having a segmented construction. In at least some embodiments, a medical device including a plurality of conductive elongated members that are of such a length and are connected together in such a manner to impart a degree of MRI compatibility to the device. In some embodiments, the elongated members can include a series of solid elongate members and tubular elongate members, which construction provides one way to control at least some properties of the device, for example, stiffness, torque transmission, flexibility, shape retention, and the like. In yet some additional embodiments, at least one of the elongated members has a recess into which a protrusion of another elongated member may fit.