An MR safe algometer to study phantom and residual limb pain

Abstract

Researchers are interested in understanding phantom limb pain (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP) in amputees and the neural mechanisms leading to it. fMRI can provide information on the intensity and the location of activated centers in the brain that control PLP and RLP. MR safe algometers are important to this work. This paper described the new pneumatically actuated algometer and the evaluation methods for MR safety. Our results indicate that the custom device is an improved MR safe algometer capable of autonomously producing reproducible pressure profiles.