A technology being developed at Purdue University could provide an affordable, smart, self-learning device that, when placed into existing MRI machines could allow medical professionals to monitor patients more effectively and safely, by performing concurrent medical imaging and recording for diagnostic purposes.

Purdue researchers recently presented their findings, “Multimodal Imaging: MR-Compatible, Gradient Artifact free, Wireless recording system integrated with MR-scanner for Simultaneous EEG and fMRI acquisition,” at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. The article also received an ISMRM magna cum laude merit award, and power-pitch highlight, for highly-rated scientific merits.

The technology was developed by Ranajay Mandal and Nishant Babaria, graduate research assistants in Purdue’s College of Engineering, under the supervision of Zhongming Liu, an assistant professor in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

“MRI is a very common imaging tool, used in every medical domain to produce high-resolution information about the body and organs,” Babaria said. “However, when a patient is receiving an MRI scan, it is very difficult to also monitor brainwaves, ECG, or other biological signals. MRI alone does not always provide enough information to clinicians. There is tremendous scientific and clinical value in using multiple technologies together on a single platform.”

The technology being developed could work simultaneously with any MRI system to record electro-physiological signals during MRI scanning. The device aims to learn when to start and stop recording to capture useful signals during MRI operation.

“What we’ve developed is a small device that can be placed in an MRI system to serve as a platform to combine all other imaging technologies,” Mandal said. “This way the patient can be monitored for more than one diagnostic result at a time and researchers and doctors are able to obtain much more information all at once.”

Liu said the device could also reduce health risks and provide better imaging.

“Our device has a smaller footprint than a penny and could be used safely inside an MRI,” he said. “Although small, the device is very powerful and allows researchers to record, stimulate, and image the brain or other organs all through the MRI system.”

Nishant said the device also has additional features.

“We believe this device is the first of its kind. It’s wireless and directly powered and operated by the MRI. It is much more affordable than other commercial systems, and provides much better quality in neural recording and stimulation during MRI imaging,” he said. “The device has great potential to significantly improve the safety, efficacy, and precision of medical diagnostics for patients who suffer from epilepsy, Parkinson’s diseases, depression, and many more diseases.”

The technology is patented through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.

Mandal and Babaria said they received great feedback from the conference.

“Several people, from almost a dozen universities, requested the device for their own research,” Babaria said. “We’re eager to move forward with testing so that we can finalize and get the device in the hands of those who need it.”