Caution is required if and when employing electrode leads and electrodes in an MRI environment. BIOPAC offers a series of magnetic resonance imaging compatible electrodes, electrode leads, transducers, and stimulus options for safe data acquisition of physiological signals in the MRI environment. Specialized cable systems provide isolated and RF filtered interfacing between the subject/chamber panel and the control room.
BIOPAC defines "Radiotranslucent" products as
products that have no metal at all in the applied part. These are best suited for MRI applications.
BIOPAC electrodes and leads that are radiotranslucent are listed at the bottom of this page.
BIOPAC defines "MRI-compatible" products as products that have no ferrous metal in the applied part. They may include non-ferrous metal, but cannot significantly be mechanically influenced by a magnetic field. These may be suitable for MRI applications.
MRI-compatible does not refer to the capability of an applied part to be used in an x-ray machine. Radio-opaque implies that the applied part is easily visible in an x-ray machine so it can be manipulated via the x-ray viewer. Radiotranslucent in this context implies that the applied part is only partially or not visible in the x-ray viewer.
Under certain conditions, single fault and otherwise, low impedance conduction through the subject represents a potential hazard due to currents that may be induced in loops placed in the time-varying MRI field gradients and RF fields, and due to body movement in the static MRI field. Low impedance conduction can result in significant heating at the electrode/skin junction, because this point is often the part of the signal path with the highest impedance. Sufficient heating at the electrode/skin juction could result in burns. For more information, read Methodological Issues in EEG-correlated Functional MRI Experiments (Lemieux L, Allen PJ, Krakow K, Symms MR, Fish DR; International Journal of Bioelectromagnetism 1999; 1: 87-95).
Intended use: BIOPAC Systems, Inc. products (including instruments, components, accessories, electrodes and electrode leads) are designed for educational and research applications. BIOPAC does not condone the use of its products for clinical medical applications. Products provided by BIOPAC are not intended for the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, cure or prevention of disease.
