This Phase I project will focus on developing key elements needed to achieve a wearable, high-density, magnetoencephalography (MEG) device based on optically-pumped atomic magnetometers (OPMs). OPM sensors have progressed to be comparable in sensitivity to liquid-helium-cooled superconducting sensors (SQUIDs) but without the complexity and bulk required by cryogenic cooling. An OPM-based MEG provides further advantages such as lower cost and the ability to place sensors directly on the subject's head. It has recently been shown that large, non-invasive "on-scalp" arrays of OPMs (1) will outperform traditional fixed helmet MEG devices by a factor of 7.5 higher signal, and (2) may reach the same resolution as invasive Electrocorticography (ECoG). However, there are a few advancements that must be made to evolve from the proof-of-concept systems of a few tens of sensors to a practical full head MEG system capable of producing high resolution images. In this project will address challenges like cross-talk between sensors, background field compensation, and sensor calibration and localization. We believe these innovations are necessary for a fully-integrated, wearable, high-density, and on-scalp MEG device using ultra-sensitive OPMs.
Public Health Relevance Statement: Narrative MEG is a powerful tool in neuroscience for non-invasive imaging of neurophysiological activity of the cortex with millisecond temporal and sub-centimeter spatial resolution. We propose to develop key elements relating to optically-pumped atomic magnetometer (OPM) technology and believe these innovations are necessary for developing a fully-integrated, wearable, high-density, on-scalp MEG device using compact and highly-sensitive OPMs. Moving this technology beyond the laboratory to the larger community of neuroscientist and clinicians as a turnkey high-density system will have a significant impact in the field of biomagnetic research and diagnostics.
Project Terms: Calibration; youngster; childrens'; children; Children (0-21); Child Youth; 0-11 years old; Child; Communities; Implanted Electrodes; electronic device; Electronics; Elements; epileptogenic; epileptiform; epilepsia; Seizure Disorder; Epileptics; Epileptic Seizures; Epilepsy; Floor; Head; He element; Helium; Helmet; Children's Hospital; Pediatric Hospitals; Laboratories; magnetoencephalographic imaging; MEG imaging; Magnetoencephalography; Methods; body movement; Movement; National Institutes of Health; NIH; United States National Institutes of Health; neurophysiological; neurophysiology; Neurosciences; Noise; optical; Optics; Patients; Philadelphia; Research; Risk; Scalp; Scalp structure; biological signal transduction; Signaling; Signal Transduction Systems; Intracellular Communication and Signaling; Cell Signaling; Cell Communication and Signaling; Signal Transduction; Sleep; Social Interaction; Technology; Telemetries; Telemetry; Testing; Theoretical Studies; Measures; base; density; Pump; sensor; improved; Phase; Series; Financial compensation; Compensation; Measurement; Research Project Grants; Research Projects; Research Grants; R01 Program; R01 Mechanism; R-Series Research Projects; Liquid substance; liquid; fluid; light weight; lightweight; tool; Diagnostic; Mechanics; mechanical; Electrocorticogram; electrocorticography; millisecond; Msec; Source; System; Location; interest; Magnetism; magnetic; High temperature of physical object; high temperature; Cell Volumes; Performance; superconducting quantum interference device; cryogenics; simulation; novel; Devices; Thickness; Thick; Address; autism spectrum disorder; autistic spectrum disorder; Kanner's Syndrome; Infantile Autism; Early Infantile Autism; Autistic Disorder; Autism; Resolution; Development; developmental; Image; imaging; Output; cost; design; designing; brain machine interface; innovation; innovative; innovate; usability; prototype; spatiotemporal; non-invasive imaging; noninvasive imaging; magnetic dipole; magnet dipole; high resolution imaging; experimental study; experimental research; experiment; sensor technology; sensing technology
