Motion detection of patient in MRI using mechanical mercury switches

The quality of the MRI produced image is very sensitive to motion effects due to movement of the patient inside the device. In this project, motion detection device was designed, implemented and tested. The device is capable of determining the level of motion, e.g., major or minor. A set of eight mercury sensors, placed at different directions and at different angles, permits determining the level as well as the direction of the patient motion. The sensors’ output signals were processed and interfaced to personal computer as well as to an LED board. The level and the direction of patient motion were successfully displayed on GUI which was programmed using Delphi software.