The ECG/Temperature Module resides in the magnet bore near the animal. It measures temperature with a small rectal probe, ECG using two subdurmel or surface electrodes and respiration by coupling one of the ECG leads to the animal's abdomen. Power is supplied by an external, rechargeable battery. ECG, temperature and respiration measurements are amplified, digitized and transmitted out the magnet bore on an optical fiber cable to the Control/Gating Module.
The Respiration/IBP Module resides just outside the magnet bore, but close to the animal. It measures respiration using a small pneumatic pillow and blood pressure using a pressure transducer connected with tubing to an invasive line in the animal. Spare input channels allow event markers or auxiliary data to be acquired with the measured data. Power is supplied from either an internal rechargeable battery or an external power supply.
Measured data is digitized and transmitted outside the magnet room to the Control/Gating Module using optical fibers. The module sends data to the PC for display and receives instructions from the PC to control measurement and gating functions. ECG and/or respiratory gates are generated by the Control/Gating Module's microprocessor and sent to the MR system. The delay from the R-wave peak to the MR system gate is user selectable as is the expiration gate delay and width. An optical output corresponding to the difference between the measured temperature and a user defined set point is available for controlling a heater. |
