The radiofrequency (RF) field used in magnetic resonance imaging is scattered by medical implants. The scattered field of a deep brain stimulation lead can be very intense near the electrodes stimulating the brain. The effect is more pronounced if the lead behaves as a resonant antenna. In this paper, we examine the resonant length effect. We also use the finite element method to compute the near field for (i) the lead immersed in inhomogeneous tissue (fat, muscle, and brain tissues) and (ii) the lead connected to an implantable pulse generator. Electric field, specific absorption rate and induced temperature rise distributions have been obtained in the brain tissue surrounding the electrodes. The worst-case scenario has been evaluated by neglecting the effect of blood perfusion. The computed values are in good agreement with in vitro measurements made in the laboratory.

Abstract-We have investigated the scattering of the MagneticResonance Imaging (MRI) radiofrequency (RF) field by implants for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and the resultant heating of the tissue surrounding the DBS electrodes. The finite element method has been used to perform full 3-D realistic simulations. The near field has been computed for varying distances of the connecting portion of the lead from the air-tissue interface. Dissipated powers and induced temperature rise distributions have been obtained in the region surrounding the electrodes. It is shown that the near proximity of the air-tissue interface results in a reduction in the induced temperature rise.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract