Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.

Advanced Platform Technology Center

Menu
Menu
Quick Links
Veterans Crisis Line Badge
My healthevet badge
 

VehiCLE

MRI Visual Communication System

T

 

The MRI Visual Communication System came to VehiCLE to communicate with impaired hearing patients during MRI exams.  This issue arises because hearing aids cannot be worn during an MRI.  Additionally, for thoracic MRIs in particular, the patient must hold their breath during scans and must be directed by the MRI technician as to when to hold breath and when to breathe freely. Finally, all components needed to be MRI safe, meaning we could not incorporate steel, iron, electrical wires, or components that would impede MRI imaging.

Our design consists of a light engine in the technician’s room with buttons to light up different colors.  The light engine has colored LEDs that shine into fiber optic cables that run to the patient room’s the communication device. The communication device is mounted on an MRI safe pole with an extendable arm and loc-line to adjust the angle of the device.  A custom right-angle flashlight is incorporated at the end of the fiber optic cables to disperse the light into the stoplight communication device.  The result is that the technician can press one of the colored buttons on the light engine in their room, and the patient will see the same light turn on in their room.  Using these lights, the technician can communicate when to breathe freely, prepare to hold breath, and hold breath.  

This design was created in-house and tested in multiple sites nationwide.

                                       Front View:


                                    Front View Lit Up     

   


Light Engine:                                          Full Stand Extended:
  

Next Steps:
The MRI Visual Communication System will continue to be tested in MRI clinics, and will be marketed to outside companies for licensing.

Provisional Patent Application: 63/514,273

Technology Transfer Specialist: Pattie Cullum (patricia.cullum@va.gov)

TechLink: