Empa and TI Solutions develop polymer cables for MRI diagnostics

(CONNECT) Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) in St.Gallen and industry partner TI Solutions, based in Zurich, have developed a special polymer cable for MRI examinations, as detailed in a press release. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important diagnostic imaging procedure. Investigations are carried out in parallel with brain wave measurements, electrocardiograms or stimulation of deep-seated brain structures using temporal interference stimulation (TI). Due to the high magnetic fields and radio waves used, no metallic objects that could cause mechanical destruction or thermal heating may be used in the apparatus.

According to the press release, this electrode cable consists of a bundle of polymer fibers covered with a titanium-silver layer less than half a micrometer thick. The new cables allow both cardiological and neurological measurements as well as temporal interference stimulation of deep brain layers. "Our aim was to develop a cable with a very low but precisely defined metallic conductivity," Dirk Hegemann, Head of Research at Empa's Advanced Fibers Laboratory, is quoted as saying in the press release. "The conductivity must be high enough for the signal to be transmitted, but not so high that it interacts with the radio or magnetic waves." Sven Kühn, Head of Research at TI Solutions, adds: "With the MRI-compatible cables developed in the Empa laboratory, our medical research partners have the opportunity for the first time to visualize the effect of TI in the brain using MRI safely and without interference." The company specializes in research in the field of temporal interference stimulation. The development of the new polymer cables was funded by Innosuisse. ce/ww