Networked minds - Isis Innovation

Isis Project Number 3135Sound cancelling intercom for MRIPredictive noise reduction to enable easier conversations between radiologists and patients undergoingMRI, leading to improved patient comfort and examination efficacy.The Oxford inventionIn spite of the increasing use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI), due to its particular ability to image soft tissues, there aremany patients who are uncomfortable in the narrow, enclosedtube that is the MRI machine. When patients are being scanned,the MRI machine generates a lot of acoustic noise, enough sothat patients need to wear earplugs and/or ear protectorsmaking conversations between the radiologist and patient verydifficult. Such difficulties in communicating with the patient, aswell as hindering the practicalities of image acquisition, canhave a negative psychological impact on the patient. Severalsolutions have been proposed which use multiple microphonesand subtraction of background noise from patient speech, buttheir inability to differentiate speech from non-speech in a noisyenvironment has resulted in their limited success in improvingthe MRI examination experience.The Oxford invention is a method for reducing noise producedby an MRI machine that was developed by a collaborationbetween the Department of Phonetics and colleagues in theclinical environment. The invention can be applied both in theintercom, and in patient headsets. In the intercom, it allows theoperators/radiologists to hear the patient better; in the patientheadsets, it effectively silences the MRI machine so that it is lessdisturbing. The new Oxford system for digital noise subtractionuses the MRI machine’s gradient coil current and the RF powerproduced as the major noise predictors. Software to carry outthe real time digital noise subtraction via linear regularisation, toproduce a near optimal filtration, would run on a PC in the MRIsuite and may be applied to two-way communication betweenthe patient and radiologist, improving patient comfort and alsothe efficacy of the examination.Marketing opportunityIt is known that about 5% of patients find the claustrophobiaand the lack of reassuring communication too much, andhence are unable to undergo MRI examinations. In terms ofreal numbers, Frost and Sullivan (N194-50) state that in 2008there were 31 million MRI examinations in North Americaalone, hence we should be considering that over 1.5 millionpatients could be affected annually. It would be envisaged thata solution based on this invention could be supplied with newMRI scanners or as a retrofitable improvement.Patent statusThis invention is the subject of a UK patent application. Isiswould like to hear from companies interested in developingthe commercial opportunity. Please contact the Isis ProjectManager.CONTACT Dr Jamie Ferguson Project Manager T +44 (0)1865 280851 E jamie.ferguson@isis.ox.ac.uk W www.isis-innovation.com18