MRI–Compatible Fluid-Powered Medical Devices

This article introduces recent developments and challenges related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible medical devices. Recent advances in fluid-powered medical devices are described, including a needle steering robot for neurosurgery and a haptic device for hemiplegia rehabilitation. Recent three-dimensional printing technologies for fabricating integrated fluid-powered robots are also reported. The use of additive manufacturing conjoined with modern digital imaging techniques allow for the customization of components, a trait that is generally needed in medical implants and devices. Furthermore, the materials that are available in additive processes allow for direct end-use production of customized components and devices. In addition, the polymer-based materials have an inherently low permeability, allowing for use in an MRI environment while not causing imaging interference. Presently, selective laser sintering (SLS), stereolithography, and extrusion processes illustrate and suggest that they offer the greatest promise in MRI compatible end-use components. Future work is aimed at using Additive Manufacturing (AM) to develop inherently safe, compact, MRI compatible medical devices.