Adaptable MRI Coils for Enhanced Deep Brain Stimulation Imaging: A Bioengineer’s Guide from Concept to Clinic

Ultrafast MRI at 3 T and above has fundamentally transformed neuroimaging. It enables dynamic sub-second monitoring of brain function while providing sufficient soft tissue contrast to allow precise delineation of submillimeter cerebral structures. When used in conjunction with neuromodulation therapies such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), MRI can provide indispensable insights into electrode positioning and the functional response to stimulation. However, MRI remains largely inaccessible to patients with DBS devices due to the risks associated with RF heating of the implants. Despite continuous efforts, progress in making 3T MRI readily accessible to this patient population has been limited.