Patent ID: 11950854
Assignee: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A  G | IPC A  G

Claim 20:
21. A marker device for active magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device location visualization, the marker device comprising:
a system comprising:
a non-conductive optical fiber with a distal end, a proximal end, and an acousto-optical sensor region disposed in proximity to the distal end and comprising a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG); and
an electro-mechanical conversion assembly comprising:
a first antenna configured to receive radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy and produce a corresponding electrical signal; and
a first piezoelectric transducer in mechanical communication with the first FBG, and in electrical communication with the first antenna;
wherein the first piezoelectric transducer is configured to modulate elastic properties of the acousto-optical sensor region with acoustic waves generated responsive to the electrical signal received from the first antenna:

wherein characteristics of the modulated elastic properties of the optical fiber are detectable at the proximal end of the optical fiber; and
wherein at least the optical fiber and the electro-mechanical conversion assembly are configured to reduce MRI RF-induced heating of the system; and

a resonator in communication with the optical fiber;
wherein the resonator is configured to:
enhance a modulation amplitude of the acousto-optical sensor region; and
at least partially reflect the generated acoustic waves to enhance a modulation amplitude of the acousto-optical sensor region; and

wherein the resonator comprises an acoustical discontinuity comprising one or more of:
a notch formed by removal of at least a portion of cladding from the optical fiber; or
deposition of a material on the optical fiber.