Yi Y. Wang1, Mohammed Salman Shazeeb2,3, Christopher H. Sotak2,4, Gregory Scott Fischer1
1Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA; 2Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA; 3Medical Physics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; 4Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
MR enables closed loop image-guided surgery, but the inability to use conventional sensors and actuators in high-filed MR limits the availability of assistive technologies for interventional procedures. We have worked to optimize the Piezo LEG piezoelectric motors so that they can be successfully used in the MR environment. Through thorough shielding, grounding and filtering, we have managed to reduce average SNR degradation to under 3% for standard T1 and T2 scan protocols; this level of compatibility surpasses previously reported results. With appropriate considerations, this technology enables high precision MR-compatible interventional devices such as the neurosurgery robot we are developing.