Magneto-stimulation limits in medical imaging applications with rapid field dynamics

Objective. The goal of this work is to extend previous peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) studies to scenarios relevant to magnetic particle imaging (MPI) and low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), where field dynamics can evolve at kilo-hertz frequencies. Approach. We have constructed an apparatus for PNS threshold determination on a subject's limb, capable of narrow and broad-band magnetic stimulation with pulse characteristic times down to 40 mu s. Main result. From a first set of measurements on 51 volunteers, we conclude that the PNS dependence on pulse frequency/rise-time is compatible with traditional stimulation models where nervous responses are characterized by a rheobase and a chronaxie. Additionally, we have extended pulse length studies to these fast timescales and confirm thresholds increase significantly as trains transition from tens to a few pulses. We also look at the influence of field spatial distribution on PNS effects, and find that thresholds are higher in an approximately linearly inhomogeneous field (relevant to MRI) than in a rather homogeneous distribution (as in MPI). Significance. PNS constrains the clinical performance of MRI and MPI systems. Extensive magneto-stimulation studies have been carried out recently in the field of MPI, where typical operation frequencies range from single to tens of kilo-hertz. However, PNS literature is scarce for MRI in this fast regime, relevant to small (low inductance) dedicated MRI setups, and where the resonant character of MPI coils prevents studies of broad-band stimulation pulses. This work advances in this direction.