Vibrotactile devices for controlled somato sensory stimulus during functionalmagnetic resonance imaging
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Abstract
A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) compatible magnetomechanical vibrotactile device (MVD) uses wire coils having small oscillatory currents to interact with the large static magnetic field inherent to MRI scanners. The resulting Lorentz forces which are exerted on the MVD can be oriented to generate large vibrations that may be easily converted to translational motions as large as several centimetres. Representative data demonstrate the flexibility of MVDs to generate different well-controlled vibratory and tactile stimuli to activate special proprioceptive and cutaneous somatosensory afferent pathways.
9 Citations
54 Claims
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1-27. -27. (canceled)
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28. A method of providing somatosensory stimuli to a subject when performing functional magnetic resonance imaging, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a magnetomechanical vibrotactile device comprising a coil of wire; (b) placing said device adjacent to an organ of a subject, wherein said organ is positioned within a magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imager; (c) applying a time-varying current to said coil, wherein a force caused by an interaction of said magnetic field with said time-varying current produces vibratory motion of said device; (d) coupling said vibratory motion to said organ to stimulate somatosensory receptors of said subject. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 54)
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31-35. -35. (canceled)
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50. A method of performing functional magnetic resonance imaging, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a magnetomechanical vibrotactile device comprising a coil of wire; (b) placing said device adjacent to an organ of a subject, wherein said organ is positioned within a magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imager; (c) applying a time-varying current to said coil, wherein a force caused by an interaction of said magnetic field with said time-varying current produces vibratory motion of said device; (d) coupling said vibratory motion to said organ to stimulate somatosensory receptors of said subject; and (e) obtaining a magnetic resonance image. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53)
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Specification