Research/Projects

Current Projects:

Research Projects:

•   Coiling Effects on the RF-induced Heating for Parially-in and Partially-out (PIPO) Medical Devices and Modifying the Device Model [Ongoing collaboration project with FDA]

In this project, we want to modify the external length of the PIPO devices and demonstrate the effects of coiling in 1.5T MRI. We want to modify and develop a PIPO device model using electromagnetic analysis. 

•   An Approach of Mitigating the RF-induced Heating for the Partially-in and Partially-out (PIPO) Medical Devices using Ferrite Materials [Ongoing collaboration project with FDA- Already in process for a patient in USA]

I am working on a novel approach to mitigate RF-induced heating for medical devices that place partially-in and partially-out (PIPO) configurations inside the human body. PIPO medical devices I am working on are depth electrodes, used for monitoring or mapping the subsurface levels of the brain for the surgical treatment of intractable epilepsy, and temporary cardiac pacing wires used to deliver an artificial electrical impulse to the heart to maintain a regular heart rate for a patient during cardiac surgery. Since these devices mainly consist of stainless steel covered by exterior insulating materials, during MRI, the interaction between the metallic lead/wire and the radiated RF field of the MRI scanner may lead to an antenna effect, which could induce a strong current along the lead/wire. The received energy is transmitted through the wire tip to the surrounding heart tissue, which leads to an intense RF power deposition and possible thermal injury. A recent study showed that for these kinds of devices, the 30-minute temperature rise could be 76.6 °C or higher during a 1.5T MRI scan but the acceptable range is 4 °C to 6 °C. My target is to use ferrite materials at the outside portion of lead/wires in the human body to reduce the current through the lead/wire and thus lower the RF heating. [A portion of this work has been accepted for the presentation at ISMRM 2023].

• Lead Insulation, Wavelengths, and IPGs Impedance Effects on RF Heating for AIMDs under MRI at 1.5T and 3T [Ongoing collaboration project with FDA]

In this study, we are exploring the influences of the thickness, lossy property of the insulation material – i.e., loss tangent, tan δ (σ/(ωε)), the lead length relative to the wavelengths in the medium, and the impedance of Impulse Generators (IPGs) on the RF heating of the AIMD leads using full-wave electromagnetic (EM) modeling of the heating TFs employing the reciprocity principle and experimental approach. [A portion of this work has been accepted for the presentation at ISMRM 2023].

• Patients Safety Evaluations from the RF-induced Heating for the Depth Electrodes to Treat Intractable Epilepsy at 1.5T MRI [Funded by: Ad-Tech Medical Instrument Corporation ]

Depth electrodes are used for monitoring or mapping the subsurface levels of the brain and are connected to external devices. The main purpose of this project was to work with Ad-Tech Medical Instrument Corporation to model the device and to work on the reduction of the RF-induced heating by varying the electrodes dimensions, spacing and length of the lead to ensure patients' safety to treat intractable epilepsy in 1.5T MRI [Publication Under review]

• Effect of Strain Relief Loop Position on the RF-induced Heating for Active Implantable Medical Devices at 1.5T MRI

In this project, we discovered the effects of strain relief loops on the RF-induced heating of AIMDs during an MRI scan. Also, a method to estimate the effect of the strain relief loop location on the lead has been developed based on the differentiation of cumulative summation (DCS) of the product between the transfer function and the tangential component of the electric field along the device length [Publication Link].

Industry Projects:

• Modeling and Validation of the Remote Cardiac Home Monitoring Systems in 1.5T and 3T MRI [Sponsor: Biotronik]

Working with the  Biotronik team on their new cardiac home monitoring devices with DX technology for device modeling and validation in 1.5T and 3T MRI.

• Patient Safety Evaluations and MR Conditional Labeling for Epidural Catheters [Sponsor: B. Braun Medical Inc.]

Currently working with B. Braun Medical Inc. team for patient safety assessment and MR conditional labeling for their epidural catheters in 1.5T and 3T MRI.

• RF-induced Heating Evaluations of the Cochlear Systems at 1.5T and 3T MRI [Sponsor: Blackrock Neurotech]

Blackrock Neurotech’s Cochlear systems consist of an array of electrodes used for the brain-computer interface. The main purpose of this project was to evaluate RF-induced heating for the device and make an MR conditional label.

• RF-induced Heating Evaluations for the Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) Devices under 1.5T MRI Environment [Sponsor: Nalu Medical]

Nalu PNS devices are used as a long-term solution for chronic pain in the Axillary, Cluneal, Genicular, Saphenous, Sciatic, Suprascapular, and Tibial regions of the human body. Since it is an active device, the main purpose was modeling the device, validation inside the 1.5T RF coil and evaluating the patient safety from 1.5T MRI.

•  RF-induced Heating Evaluations of the Ad-Tech Depth Electrodes under 1.5T MRI Environment [Sponsor: Ad-Tech Medical Instrument Corporation]

 The main purpose of this project was to work with Ad-Tech Medical Instrument Corporation on the modeling the device, validation inside the 1.5T MRI and evaluations of the RF-induced heating.