MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI Smart Amplifiers by BIOPAC

High-Quality Data for Human and Animal Protocols

BIOPAC offers a series of cables, electrodes, electrode leads, transducers, amplifiers, gating systems, and stimulus options for safe data acquisition of physiological signals in the MRI environment. Specially developed cables make it easy to interface between the control room and the chamber, and MR Safe and MR Conditional items are available. Electrodes and sensors are radiotranslucent and designed for use in the MRI. AcqKnowledge software includes automated data cleaning tools to further filter the data for high-quality results and easier analysis.

See also:

Please contact BIOPAC if you don’t find the support information you are looking for.

Safety Guidelines for Recording Biopotential Measurements in the MRI Environment

1. Place electrodes on the subject according to these guidelines:
A ) Prepare the subject’s skin surface with ELPAD to create a low contact source impedance at the electrode attachment site. Be careful to wipe away any excess electrode gel form the surface of the subject’s skin.

B) Attach the EL508 or EL509 electrodes as close to each other as possible, on the subject’s skin, for the measurement.

C) Place electrodes in as straight of a line as possible which is perpendicular to the magnet’s axis.

D) Place electrodes between 3-5 cm apart, if possible; the larger the area between the electrodes, the stronger the MRI gradient artifact.

2. Connect the electrode lead set to the electrodes according to these guidelines: A ) Make sure that the electrode leads do not loop in a “circle”, “S” or “U” shape. Also, do not twist or braid the electrode leads. Looped, braided or twisted leads pick up RF energy, resulting in current induction and increased localized heating.  

B ) Run the leads out of the chamber bore in the simplest (straightest) manner possible.

C)  Do not allow the electrode leads to touch the subject’s bare skin. Electrode leads may heat up in the MRI.
– Use a thermal insulator (such as a blanket or towel) between the electrode lead and the subject’s skin.
– It’s also possible to use thermally-insulating foam jacket, similar to those used for insulating copper tubing, for placing the electrode leads to keep them away from the subject’s skin.