Anyone who has done in-vivo NMR experiments requiring EKG or
electrical stimulation is familiar with the RFI and shimming problems
created by bringing conventional metal electrodes near an RF coil in an NMR
spectrometer. Traditionally, the workaround for this problem has been to
either fiddle with the placement of platinum electrodes for optimal results
or to use a KCL/agarose salt bridge.
Within the last few years, graphite and conductive plastic
electrode leads have been used to build MR-compatible EKG apparatus for
clinical MRI and these are available from at least two commercial
suppliers. Has anyone seen this technology used for animal stimulation/EKG
and if so, are there any commercial sources for these nonmetallic
electrodes?
Best regards,
Ken Fishbein
Facility Manager, NMR Unit
NIH/NIA/GRC
Ph. (410) 558-8512
FAX (410) 558-8323 or 8173
E-mail: fishbein@vax.grc.nia.nih.gov
Address: Ken Fishbein
NIH/NIA/GRC
4940 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224 USA