Upgrading Magnetoencephalography (MEG) system with Internal Helium Recycler (IHR)

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TMagnetoencephalography (MEG) is based on detection of tiny magnetic fields produced by electrical activity within the brain. MEG scanners require superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) bathed in a liquid Helium cooling unit to detect and amplify magnetic fields generated by neurons, in the space above the scalp. There is currently severe global Helium shortage making researchers requiring liquid Helium shut down their equipment. At Ulster University's Northern Ireland Functional Brain Mapping (NIFBM) facility, the supplier (BOC) has occasionally been unable to source the helium we require - forcing us to temporarily shut down the MEG system resulting in interruption of research and substantial restart costs (up to Euro 19k). We propose to purchase MEGIN's internal helium recycler (IHR), as it creates a closed-cycle supercooling system, requiring no weekly Helium refills, relieving research staff and reducing risks associated with storing Helium cylinders, i.e., explosion, oxygen depletion on leakage and 'ice burn' during transfer. MEGIN's IHR upgrade is the only Helium recycler technology capable of offering zero loss Helium recycling and integrate fully with the medical grade Triux MEG system.MEG functional brain mapping is used to study information processing in the brain in order to understand the neural basis of developmental disorders, psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, memory, attention, emotion, language and social cognition. It is also employed to locate epileptogenic zone(s) and to perform pre-surgical mapping of visual, auditory, somatosensory and motor cortices, and language functional areas of epilepsy patients going forward for surgical treatment. NIFBM is the only such facility in Ireland. An IHR upgrade eliminates the dependence on frequent (unreliable) deliveries of Helium. Consequently, research programmes can be planned well in advance and managed regularly. This is particularly important when dealing with vulnerable groups, such as stroke victims and patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD). Even a couple of weeks delay can cause problems for the study design and moreover, these participants require assistance to attend, thus enhancing the need for planning.