Cambridge Research Systems MR Confon Starter f MKII+ User manual

MR Confon Starter f MKII+ User Guide
Version(R01(June(2017(
Cambridge Research Systems Limited
80 Riverside
Sir Thomas Longley Road
Rochester
Kent
ME2 4BH
England
www.crsltd.com

MR Confon Starter f MKII+ User Guide
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Revision Number
Date
Who
Description
R01
06/06/2016
D POLYMENOPOULOS;
S ELLIOTT
First Issue
! !

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Table of Contents
Introduction*.................................................................................................................................*3!
Symbols!........................................................................................................................................................!3!
Starter*f*MKII+*Components*...................................................................................................*4!
Headphones!................................................................................................................................................!5!
Amplifier!......................................................................................................................................................!7!
BNC!Connectors!........................................................................................................................................!8!
RF!Filter!Elements!...................................................................................................................................!9!
Technologist!Microphone!..................................................................................................................!10!
Filter!Box!...................................................................................................................................................!10!
Desktop!Speakers!..................................................................................................................................!11!
Analogue!to!Digital!Converter!.........................................................................................................!12!
Cables!.........................................................................................................................................................!13!
Memory!Foam!Cushions!.....................................................................................................................!15!
Control*Room*Assembly*........................................................................................................*16!
Starter!f!MKII+!Amplifier!Setup!......................................................................................................!16!
Connect!Headphone!Cable!................................................................................................................!16!
Connecting!to!the!Filter!Box!.............................................................................................................!17!
Connecting!the!Desktop!Monitor!Speakers!...............................................................................!18!
Connecting!the!Microphone!.............................................................................................................!20!
Connecting!Patient!Microphone!(optional)!...............................................................................!20!
Analogue!Audio!Setup!.........................................................................................................................!21!
AudioFile!Setup!......................................................................................................................................!22!
MRI*Room*Assembly*...............................................................................................................*24!
Headphones!.............................................................................................................................................!24!
Filter!Elements!.......................................................................................................................................!24!
Starter*f*MKII+*Amplifier*Quick*Reference*Sheet*.........................................................*26!
The!Amplifier!..........................................................................................................................................!26!
Technologist!Microphone!..................................................................................................................!28!
Getting!Started!........................................................................................................................................!29!
Safety*Warnings*........................................................................................................................*32!
Life!support!applications!...................................................................................................................!32!
Magnetic!fields!........................................................................................................................................!32!
Servicing!....................................................................................................................................................!32!
Cleaning*.......................................................................................................................................*32!
Dimensions*................................................................................................................................*33!
Safety*Conformance*................................................................................................................*33!
Contact*.........................................................................................................................................*33!

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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the MR Confon Starter f MKII+ MRI Audio System.
The equipment delivers high-fidelity acoustic stimuli for fMRI while also
attenuating scanner noise. Electro-dynamic driver technology uses the magnetic
field of the MRI scanner to drive the headphone membranes. This results in
powerful speakers with an excellent frequency response across a wide dynamic
range.
The package integrates perfectly with AudioFile1, a novel USB sound processor
with automated synchronous triggering capabilities, to give you the controls you
need for rigorous multimodal EEG/fMRI studies.
Symbols
This manual contains international MR symbols as well as symbols to aide in
general handling and installation of the equipment.
MR SAFE: These items can go into the MRI room. No displacement
with any field strength of any MRI scanner.
MR-CONDITIONAL: These items must only go into the MRI room
if specified installation and usage instructions are followed.
MR UNSAFE: Never take these items into the MRI room. SERIOUS
DANGER FROM THE MAGNETIC FIELD EXISTS WITH THESE
ITEMS.
WARNING: General warning regarding handling and installation.
1Sold separately – see: http://www.crsltd.com/audiofile for more information

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Starter f MKII+ Components
The Starter f MKII+ package is shipped with the following components:
Headphone(s) with integrated BNC cable
Memory foam cushions
RF Filter elements (BLP 1.9+)
BNC connectors
Amplifier and power supply
Technologist microphone
Desktop speakers
Stereo filter/Transformer box
Analogue to Digital Converter
2x5m and 2.5m, red and white BNC cables (Nos. 1 - 3 / Nos. 3 - 6).
Stereo audio cable (No. 7)
Speaker cable (No. 8)
TOSLINK optical cable (No. 9)
XLR to BNC adapter [Headphone cable] (No. 10)

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Headphones
The Starter f MKII+ package includes one or more pairs of MR Safe
headphones and/or earbuds.
Model HP PI US 03
The HP PI US headphone features an ultra-slim design that accommodates most
adult participants in any head coil. They use piezoelectric technology, which
allows them to work inside and outside the MRI room.
Figure 1 : Model HP PI US 03

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MR Confon headphones and earbuds are available in a variety of sizes and cable
routing arrangements to suit different head coil designs. Some designs only
work inside the bore of the MRI scanner. Please refer to the table below for
more information about other available headphones.
Table 1 : MR Confon Headphone List
Headphones
Features
Size
Headcoil
HP SI 01
Standard headphone with excellent
passive gradient noise dampening
and powerful electrodynamic
speaker system.
32mm thick.
Dimensions: outer
85x105mm, inner
45x65mm.
Available for Philips and GE scanners.
Compatible with 8 and 12 channel
head coils.
HP SC 01
Special version of HP SI 01 with
additional compensation element
optimized for use with Siemens
scanners.
32mm thick
For Siemens scanners and larger volume
head coils (i.e. not 32/64 channel).
HP SC 02
Same features as HP SC 01, but
6mm slimmer and with special foam
cushion set.
26mm thick
Compatible with Siemens 8 and 12
channel head coils.
HP SIE 01
Special version of HP SI 01 with
additional piezo drivers. Can be used
inside or outside the scanner.
32mm thick
Available for Philips and GE scanners.
HP VS 01
Smaller version of HP SI 01.
20mm thick
Optimised for Philips and GE 32-
channel head coils. Also for use with 8
channel head coil and thick foam
cushion.
HP VS 02
Very small version of HP SI 01 with
tilted cable management.
14mm thick
Optimised for Philips and GE head &
neck coils.
HP PI US
Ultra small on-ear piezo headphone
for use in modern multi-channel
head coils with a diameter down to
190mm. Also consider alternate HP
AT 01 insert earphone (earbud)
design.
Dimensions: outer
80x105mm, inner
45x70mm.
Works with any head coil. Works inside
and outside the scanner.
HP M 01
Same electrodynamic driver system
as of HP SI 01 or HP SC 01. Small
headphones, optimized for use with
children and NHP. Special version
for pure passive dampening or
matched, non MRI-compatible (MR
Unsafe) headphones are available.
Dimensions: outer
60mm, inner
25mm.
Available for Siemens, Philips and GE
scanners.

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Amplifier
The Starter f MKII+ amplifier is MR Unsafe and should not be installed
in the MRI room.
The Starter f MKII+ amplifier can drive headphones, external speakers, and
supports an optional headcoil-mounted noise-cancelling microphone. It has a
digital I/O interface for direct integration with the MRI scanner.
Figure 2 : Starter f MKII+ Amplifier
The amplifier is shipped with its own power supply and region-specific plug as
shown in Figure 3. Plug the power cable into the rear of the amplifier. For the
location of the Power In Port, see The Amplifieron page 26 of the
Starter f MKII+ Amplifier Quick Reference Sheet.
Figure 4 : Power for Starter f MKII+ Amplifier

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BNC Connectors
BNC connectors are MR-Conditional because they contain
ferromagnetic material.
Connectors must be securely fastened, while any connectors not
used should be removed from the MRI room.
As each MRI scanner installation is slightly different, the following BNC
connectors are supplied to aide BNC cable connection in the MRI and
Technologist rooms.
Figure 5 : BNC Connectors
In brief:
• Inline couplers connect two male BNC cables
• Male couplers connect two female BNC cables
• T-piece and Y connectors split the BNC cable signal
• 90 Degree connectors are used to rotate the filter setup

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RF Filter Elements
The filter elements are MR-Conditional because they are made
from BNC connectors which contain ferromagnetic material.
BNC connectors that do not make up the filter elements should be
removed from the MRI room. All filter elements in the MRI room
must be securely fastened. Please note that you may not need to
use all the supplied BNC connectors that are included in the
package. It is strongly advised that the filter elements are fitted
with the least possible number of BNC connectors.
The left and right filter elements are mounted inside the MRI room, at the RF
Filter Panel. The filter elements are supplied pre-assembled and connect to the
headphone’s left and right channel inputs.
Figure 6: Filter Elements
For more information about filter elements and how to connect them to your
MR Confon headphones, see Filter Elements on page 24 of the MRI Room
Assembly.

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Technologist Microphone
The Technologist microphone is MR Unsafe and should not be installed
inside the MRI room.
The Technologist microphone connects direct to the Starter f MKII+ amplifier
and is used to inform and direct participants during a scanning session.
Figure 7 : Technologist Microphone
For more information on how to connect the Technologist microphone to the
Starter f MKII+ amplifier, see Connecting the Microphone on page 20 of
Control Room Assembly.
Filter Box
The Filter Box is MR Unsafe and should not be installed inside the MRI
room.
The Filter Box should be installed in the control room, as close as possible to the
RF Filter Panel. It can be mounted permanently on a wall, using the integrated
wall bracket.

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Figure 8 : Filter Box
For more information about connecting the Filter Box see Connecting to the
Filter Box on page 17 of Control Room Assembly.
Desktop Speakers
The desktop speakers are MR Unsafe and should not be installed inside
the MRI room.
A pair of high-quality desktop speakers are included with the package. They
connect directly to the amplifier and allow the audio delivered to the
headphones to be monitored by the Technologist.
Figure 9 : Desktop Speakers
For more information about connecting the desktop speakers to the amplifier,
see Connecting the Desktop Monitor Speakers on page 18 of Control Room
Assembly.

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Analogue to Digital Converter
The Analogue to Digital Converter is MR Unsafe and should not be
installed inside the MRI room.
The Analogue to Digital Converter takes analogue signals from audio sources
such as computers, iPhones, iPads, CD, DVD and other media players, and turns
them into digital/optical signals to send to the amplifier. If you are connecting to
an audio source capable of producing S/PDIF digital audio (such as the
AudioFile), this converter is not necessary.
Figure 10 : Analogue to Digital Converter
The Analogue to Digital Audio Converter is supplied with its own external PSU
and TOSLINK (optical) cable. For more information about connecting the
converter to the amplifier see Analogue Audio Setup on page 21 of Control
Room Assembly.

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Cables
BNC cables are colour coded using white connectors for the left audio channel
and red for the right audio channel.
Cables 1-10 are MR Unsafe. They should not be installed inside the
MRI room.
Cables 1-6 are interchangeable, as long the same length/colour is
always used for the left (white) and right (red) channels.
Figure 11 : Red and White Cables
Cables 1 and 2 are 5 meters (approx. 16.4 ft) long, while Cable 3 is 2.5 meters
(approx. 8.2 ft) long. Cables 4 and 5 are 5 meters (approx. 16.4 ft) long, while
Cable 3 is 2.5 meters (approx. 8.2 ft) long.

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Cable 7 connects conventional analogue audio sources to the Analogue to
Digital Converter (for example: computers, cell phones and media players).
Figure 12: Stereo Audio Cable
Cable 8 connects the desktop monitor speakers to the amplifier.
Figure 13 : Speaker Cable
Cable 9 is an optical cable that connects the Analogue to Digital Converter to
the amplifier or, if a digital audio source is used, the audio source and the
amplifier.
Figure 14 : Optical Cable

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Cable 10 is the headphone cable and is the first part of the cable setup that
connects the amplifier to the headphones.
Figure 15 : Headphone Cable
Memory Foam Cushions
Memory foam cushions are MR Safe and are used inside the MRI room.
Where space permits, soft, memory foam cushions can be inserted between the
head and contact points of the coil to provide even better isolation, reduce bone
conduction and improve participant comfort
Figure 16 : Memory Foam Cushions

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Control Room Assembly
Starter f MKII+ Amplifier Setup
The amplifier does not need any assembly and is ready to run. Set the amplifier
at the desired location, connect the power cable and turn it on. When choosing
a location for the amplifier, take into consideration:
• Distance from the RF Filter Panel is limited by the length of the BNC
cables.
• Space should accommodate desktop monitor speakers and the
Technologist microphone.
Figure 17 : Starter f MKII+ Amplifier
Connect Headphone Cable
Connect Cable 10, the headphone cable, to the PAT HP (Patient Headphone)
port at the rear of the amplifier as shown in Figure 18.
Figure 18 : Connect Headphone Cable

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Select Cables 1 and 4. Connect them to the headphone Cable 10 as shown in
Figure 19.
Figure 19 : Connecting to the amplifier
Connecting to the Filter Box
Make sure you are connecting the Cables to the correct side of the
Filter Box.
Connect a Cable 1 and 4 to the side of the Filter Box labelled “Isolated Input
from Audio Amplifier” as shown in Figure 20.
Figure 20 : Connecting to the Filter Box

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Use Cables 3 and 6 to connect the Filter Box to the RF Filter Panel as shown in
Figure 21. If the RF Filter Panel does not already have a pair of unused bulkhead
BNC connectors installed, then arrange for the Panel to be modified with the set
of BNC bulkhead connectors that are included in the package.
Figure 21: Connecting the Filter Box to the Penetration Panel
Connecting the Desktop Monitor Speakers
The Desktop Monitor Speakers are powered by the amplifier and do not require
a separate power supply. Connect Cable 8, the speaker cable to the Stim Mon
port of the amplifier. In Figure 22 notice that the Cable 8 has two types of wires
to connect to the speakers - an insulated and a braided wire. The insulated wire
is inside its own plastic housing while the braided wire is naked.
Figure 22 : Speaker Cable Detail

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The insulated wire is inserted into the red input, and the braided wire into the
black input. Push down on the plastic flaps to insert the wires into their
respective connectors as shown in Figure 23.
Figure 23 : Rear Speaker Detail
Figure 24 : Rear Speaker installed on the Starter f MKII+ amplifier
The final connection layout will look like Figure 24 (the second speaker not
included for clarity).