MR318 MRI-compatible Fiber Optic Rotary Encoder

Micronor Inc. MR318 MRI-compatible Fiber Optic Rotary Encoder

The MR318 Fiber Optic Rotary Encoder from Micronor Inc. is a non-metallic rotary position sensor that can operate with complete “transparency” in extreme electromagnetic fields. The product concept grew out of requests from the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) community for a non-metallic version of Micronor’s existing fiber optic encoder products. MR318 combines Micronor’s passive fiber-optic encoder technology with deliberate (and challenging) material engineering that flowed down to the smallest component and detail. To simplify design, the product was based on an industry standard Size 58 mm form factor (same as “metallic” MR312) and interfaces with the same MR310 remote encoder interface module. Anything (patient or equipment) in the MRI chamber must be devoid of metallic or ferrous materials which would disrupt the MRI machine’s electromagnetic field and operation, so engineering became more than a part-for-part conversion of the existing MR312 encoder’s design. Optical fiber and optical components were the only elements that did not require redesign.

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