Building a first-of-its-kind 7T MRI compatible Lower Body Negative pressure (LBNP) device
LBNP - Research | Design | Build
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A research-to-reality program delivering the design and fabrication of a Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) device compatible with a Siemens 7T MRI scanner.
Services
Industrial design
Mechanical design + CAD
Prototyping & fabrication
Testing + documentation
Stakeholder alignment
Designing for constraints
A medical-grade device shaped by safety, usability, and extreme compatibility requirements.
Prototyping with purpose
Iterating fast, learning early, and converging on a buildable solution.
From lab to live research
A working device delivered for real-world trials and ongoing studies.
Turning complexity into capability.
The LBNP project required a device that could safely apply controlled negative pressure to the lower limbs while operating inside a 7T MRI environment. This work translated demanding technical constraints into a functional, testable, researcher-ready system, enabling new studies into cardiovascular response under orthostatic stress.
The challenge
7T MRI compatibility is unforgiving: materials, geometry, fasteners, and mechanisms must avoid interference while meeting clinical safety expectations. The device also needed to be usable by researchers, reliable across repeated testing, and manufacturable within budget and timeline.
My role
As design lead, I researched requirements, designed the system architecture, produced CAD and specifications, coordinated fabrication, and led iterative prototyping and testing through to delivery. I worked closely with MedTechVic, the Baker Institute, and the 7T MRI facility stakeholders to ensure the device met operational constraints and research needs.
What we delivered
Evidence
Requirements capture across research, safety, and MRI constraints
Stakeholder synthesis into a clear device brief and test plan
Direction
System architecture and detailed design (CAD + specifications)
Material and manufacturing strategy aligned to 7T constraints
Prototype iterations to validate usability, fit, and function
Commitment
Multiple prototypes culminating in a final delivered device
Testing outcomes and refinement loop
Documentation package for handover and ongoing use
Scale
~$30K program | ~3 months
5 prototypes | 1 final delivered device
Client stakeholders + 7T MRI facility coordination
Credits
Research, industrial design, CAD, prototyping oversight, stakeholder alignment, and delivery by Thom Luke / Threshold Design in collaboration with MedTechVic the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.
The final LBNP device is a functional, researcher-ready 7T MRI-compatible tool, enabling controlled orthostatic stress experiments during high-resolution brain imaging, supporting new cardiovascular research.
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