Reduce MRI-Based Induction Heating on Metal Surfaces

Abstract

The University of Central Florida invention is a method and system for forming surface-modified substrates for various applications. For example, companies can use the technologies to develop materials for medical devices and tools used in surgical applications in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environments. MRI scanners generate 3D images of a patient’s internal anatomy (such as tissues and organs), enabling doctors to detect diseased tissues, such as tumors. However, some metals in medical materials are susceptible to the induction heating caused by MRI scans. The heat (generated by electric “eddy currents” from a time-varying magnetic field) can affect patients wearing implants with leads, such as spinal fusion stimulators, cardiac pacemakers, and neurostimulation systems. As a solution, the UCF invention offers ways to modify surfaces and effectively produce and use materials in medical applications that reduce MRI-related induction heating.

Technical Details: The UCF invention comprises a method of forming surface-modified substrates by laser diffusion processing and a system for performing the modifications. In one example application, the substrate is medical-grade material (M). The material’s outer surface is modified with another metal material (X), such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au) or silver (Ag). With two or more different Xs, the other material can comprise a metal alloy. The system for forming substrates includes a laser system and a laser processing chamber. A laser scanner automatically controls the laser beam position or an x-y translating stage on which the laser processing chamber is mounted for scanning the laser beam relative to the substrate material (M). In the example, the surface-modified substrate is for a medical implant (such as the lead wire of a pacemaker) or a surgical tool (needle, knife, tongs). A coating of at least one metal (X) is deposited onto the outer surface and is irradiated with a laser beam so that metal X atoms diffuse into the outer surface to form a modified surface layer of both M and metal X atoms. The bulk portion does not receive the metal X and is generally unaffected by processing, remaining as only M. The modified surface layer has a thickness of at least 1 nanometer and provides a more electrically resistive surface (=2.5 percent higher) than M. The change reduces the ability of rapidly varying magnetic fields to create eddy currents in the medical component.

Partnering Opportunity: The research team is seeking partners for licensing, research collaboration, or both.

Benefit

Market Application