Magnetic resonant imaging safe stylus

US10046165B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of South Florida · US

Inventors

• Christopher Leroy Frewin · Tampa, US
• Joseph J. Register · Cambridge, US
• Stephen E. Saddow · Columbia, US
• Meralys Reyes-Natal · Tampa, US
• Joseph J. Pancrazio · Germantown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 21, 2015
• Grant date: Aug 14, 2018
• Expiry date: Apr 21, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/0534
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An implantable magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) safe stylus for biomedical devices is described. In one example, the stylus includes a set of stylus modules. One or more of the stylus modules includes a core rod formed of silicon carbide (SiC) material, a recording array mounted on the core rod, and a stimulation array mounted at a distal end of the core rod. The stylus also includes a hemispherical cap formed of SiC material. In part due to the construction and choice of materials used in the stylus, it does not substantially couple with electromagnetic fields during an MRI, for example. Therefore, the stylus does not produce excessive additional heat. The designs described herein also rely on the high thermal transport but low heat capacity of SiC to provide a thermal pathway which will conduct induced heat throughout the stylus, to dissipate heat more evenly.