Radio-Frequency Atomic Magnetometers for Medical Applications

该项目旨在将一种新的测量方法(低电导率样品的测绘)与一种新型传感器的实施相结合，从而产生用于医疗应用的磁感应层析成像系统。这依赖于伦敦大学学院研究小组最近(2014)的突破，原子磁强计电磁成像的演示，以及随后(2016)关于将其应用于房颤诊断的建议。到目前为止，只有用非侵入性方法对心脏进行被动磁场映射是可能的，而其他电导映射技术需要手术。开发的通过磁感应断层扫描进行心脏磁化成像的技术将为心律失常的侵入性标测提供一种独特的替代方法。研究内容包括：(A)射频原子磁强计便携式系统的组装，以及在非屏蔽环境下的性能评估。这是评估在临床环境中操作的适宜性所必需的。(B)演示1兆赫的磁感应，并确定该仪器对这类测量的灵敏度。这将通过在样品物体中感应涡流并检测产生的磁场来实现。其目的是能够检测直径为1 mm、厚度为1 mm的盘，并且具有与生物样品相对应的导电性。这将为磁力计在医学成像中的使用铺平道路，这将是本提案所涉可行性研究之外的研究目标。(C)开发能够与成像系统整合的探测系统部件。

The project aims to combine a novel approach to measurement (mapping of low-conductivity samples) with the implementation of a novel type of sensor which results in a Magnetic Induction Tomography system for medical applications. This relies on a recent (2014) breakthrough by the UCL team, the demonstration of electromagnetic imaging with atomic magnetometers, and the subsequent (2016) proposal for its application in the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. So far, only passive magnetic field mapping of the heart with a non-invasive method has been possible, whereas other conductivity mapping techniques require surgery. The developed technique for magnetic heart imaging through magnetic induction tomography would provide an unique alternative to invasive mapping of arrhythmia. The proposed research includes the following activities: (a) The assembly of an rf-atomic magnetometer portable system, and the evaluation of its performance in unshielded environment. This is required to assess the suitability for the operation in a clinical environment.(b) Demonstration of magnetic induction at 1 MHz, and determination of the sensitivity of the apparatus for this type of measurements. This will be done by inducing eddy currents in a sample object and detecting the resulting magnetic field. The aim is to be able to detect a disk of 1 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness, and with conductivity corresponding to biological samples. This will pave the way for the use of the magnetometer in imaging for medical applications which will be the object of the research beyond the feasibility study associated with the present proposal. (c) Development of the detection system components that will allow integration with imaging system.