Abstract #1637

An MR-Compatible Solution for Simultaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulation and MR Imaging at 3T

Alireza Akbari¹, Conrad P. Rockel¹, Dinesh A. Kumbhare¹,², Michael D. Noseworthy¹,³

¹School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; ²Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; ³Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

An MR-compatible solution that delivers electrical stimulation pulses from an EMG/stimulator unit to the subject in the magnet bore is presented. This allows for quantitative and repeatable muscle activation in the study of dynamic muscle physiology using techniques like BOLD or DTI. The solution has been tested for any image artifacts or RF heating caused by the stimulation electrodes. BOLD images of the calf muscle with electrodes on at rest and while being stimulated have been presented.