Non-Magnetic MRI Defibrillator to Quickly Save Lives During MRI Scans
Official title: Non Magnetic MRI Conditional External Defibrillator with Reduced Skeletal Muscle Contraction
Funded at Coram Technologies, INC. · NIH-11399943 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new MRI-compatible defibrillator system aims to provide immediate life-saving shocks to patients having a cardiac arrest during MRI scans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Coram Technologies, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pikesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,043,326 |
| NIH project number | 5R42HL166051-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399943 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing MRI who are at risk of cardiac arrest or requiring anesthesia and monitoring where defibrillation is critical.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing MRI or without risk of in-scan cardiac arrest may not benefit.
What this research studies
If someone goes into a dangerous heart rhythm during an MRI, every minute counts, but current defibrillators can’t be used near the MRI. This project seeks to create a safe defibrillation option that can stay close to the scanner, reducing delays and improving survival. The effort combines engineering and clinical input to design and test MRI-safe defibrillation methods that work within the MRI environment. The goal is to shorten time to treatment for VF during MRI procedures and improve outcomes in high-risk patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could dramatically reduce delays and save lives for patients experiencing cardiac arrest during MRI scans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that MRI-compatible defibrillation concepts can be feasible, but this project advances integration during MRI use.
Where this research is happening
-
Coram Technologies, INC.
Pikesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Halperin, Henry R — Coram Technologies, INC.
- Study coordinator: Halperin, Henry R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.