An fMRI-compatible multi-configurable handheld response system using an intensity-modulated fiber-optic sensor

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data should be interpreted in combination and in the context of relevant behavioral measurements. However, the strong magnetic environment of MRI scanner and the supine position of participants in the scanner significantly limit how participants´ behavioral responses are recorded. This paper presents the design of a low-cost handheld response system (HRS) with a multi-configurable optomechanical design that utilizes a reflective-type intensity modulated fiber-optic sensor (FOS) and a programmable visual interface to accurately gather participants´ behavioral responses during an fMRI experiment. Considering the effects of an input unit design on the participants´ performance efficiency across age groups and physical and neurological (dis)ability, the optomechanical system is designed to provide flexibility in the range of an input module with easy change-out feature. Specifically, the input unit can be configured as a binary module such as push buttons or as an analog input device including a scrolling wheel, and one-dimensional joystick (lever arm). To achieve MRI-compatibility, all parts of the unit that are used inside the scanner bore are built from nonferromagnetic and off-the-shelf plastic materials. The MRI compatibility was evaluated on a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner running echo planar imaging (EPI) and the average time-variant signal-to-noise ratio (tSNR) loss is limited to 2%.