Synchronizing Electrical Stimulation with fMRI Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices struggle to coordinate changes in electrical stimulation therapy with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans, requiring multiple scans and burdensome reprogramming, which complicates the correlation of stimulation therapy with neural activity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that synchronizes electrical stimulation therapy delivered by an implantable medical device with fMRI scans, allowing the device to cycle through different stimulation states during scanning, with a processor generating indications for the MRI workstation to initiate scans based on these changes, thus coordinating therapy states with imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical stimulation therapy is coordinated with fMRI scans by cycling through different stimulation states, then the correlation between stimulation therapy and neural activity is improved, but the complexity of device coordination and scan scheduling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the medical device monitors its own stimulation state changes and automatically communicates these to the MRI system. The MRI system then adjusts scan timing based on received stimulation state information, creating a closed-loop coordination that improves correlation precision without requiring complex manual scheduling
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the medical device and MRI system. This intermediary translates stimulation state changes into scan trigger signals and coordinates timing information between the two systems, reducing coordination complexity by providing a standardized interaction protocol
2Reliability
If multiple fMRI scans are performed to average out noise, then the measurement reliability is improved, but the scanning time and patient burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The medical device cycles through different stimulation states in periodic intervals, with each state change triggering an fMRI scan. This periodic stimulation pattern allows multiple scans to be acquired efficiently while maintaining reliable neural activity correlation, reducing total scanning time compared to non-synchronized approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-coordinates stimulation state changes with scan timing, so that each stimulation state is established before its corresponding fMRI scan begins. This preliminary preparation allows scans to be performed back-to-back without interruption, improving measurement reliability while minimizing patient burden
Data Source
AI summary
Changes in electrical stimulation therapy delivered via a medical device are coordinated with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans. In one example, a medical device delivers electrical stimulation therapy to a patient in an MRI unit, where the medical device is configured to cycle electrical stimulation therapy between a plurality of stimulation states. An indication that the medical device will cycle the electrical stimulation therapy or has cycled the electrical stimulation therapy while the patient is in the MRI unit or being imaged by the MRI unit is generated, and an MRI scan of the patient via an MRI workstation is initiated based on the indication. In another example, a medical device detects activation of an MRI scan and automatically switches stimulation states based upon the detection of the MRI scan, such that the scan is associated with a particular stimulation state.