IMAGE SURFACE SENSOR ARRAY FOR BIOMAGNETIC MEASUREMENTS

我们建议完成一种新型的全头超级机器人的建造 磁共振仪(MEG)导通图像传感器系统 人脑，以实验校准和验证系统使用 物理幻影，并通过直接演示系统效能 与商用全头脑磁图阵列进行比较。性价比高的 全头部系统将为无创治疗提供重要能力 人脑功能测量的临床应用和 基础研究。脑磁图直接测量神经元的物理效应 时间分辨率不受血管迟缓限制的电流 反应；与测量血液学变化的PET和fMRI不同 与神经元活动有关。高时间分辨率是 对于研究神经系统疾病特别重要，例如 癫痫，其中时间信息是一个主要的诊断，并为 同步性和脑振荡活动的基础研究。 本文提出的全头脑磁图系统已在 这笔赠款的初始项目期。该系统以LOS为基础 Alamos--超导像面梯度法专利原理 其中磁源成像在表面上，磁力计在 这个表面感觉组合场，就像传感器是脑磁图一样 系统。全头脑磁图系统设计完成；制造和 组装工作大约完成了90%。其他主要成就包括 (A)超导成像原理得到了实验验证； (B)Nb和铅成像表面性能的比较 在铅中表现出卓越的性能；(C)一种新的低温 传感器支撑材料获得专利；以及(D)开发新型 软件和模拟背景抑制技术。支持现在是 被要求(1)完成全头部脑磁图系统的组装 将所有的SQUID磁强计；(2)完整的锁磁环设计 实施新的控制和背景消除技术；(3) 实施功能强大的实时数据采集系统 管理、显示和分析；(4)使用体模测量进行测试 并校准灵敏度、成像和噪声性能以及屏蔽 传感器阵列的特性；(5)系统的实验验证 使用复杂的体模；和(6)获取实验数据 在与NIH资助的实验相同条件下的人体受试者 对视觉和体感系统的研究。 这里提出的工作将导致一个全功能的全头脑磁图 系统基于新的物理应用、传感器设计和 承诺大幅降低系统成本的制造技术 和复杂性，同时提高系统性能。这样的系统将是 对基础神经科学和临床应用都具有重要价值。

We propose to complete construction of a novel whole-head super- conducting image sensor system for Magnetoenceph-alography (MEG) of the human brain, to experimentally calibrate and validate the system using physical phantoms, and to demonstrate system efficacy by direct comparison with a commercial whole-head MEG array. A cost-effective whole-head system will provide important capabilities for non-invasive functional human brain measurements for both clinical applications and basic research. MEG directly measures a physical effect for neuronal currents with temporal resolution not limited by the sluggish vascular response; unlike PET and fMRI that measure hematological changes associated with neuronal activity. High temporal resolution is particularly important for studying neurological disorders such as epilepsy where temporal information is a major diagnostic, and for fundamental studies of synchronization and oscillatory brain activity. The whole-head MEG system proposed here has been supported by NIH during the initial project period of this grant. The system is based on the Los Alamos-patented principle of super-conducting image surface gradiometry where magnetic sources are imaged on the surface and magnetometers near this surface sense the combined fields as if the sensors were MEG systems. The whole-head MEG system design is complete; fabrication and assembly are about 90% complete. Additional key accomplishments include (A) the super-conducting imaging principle was experimentally verified; (B) comparison of niobium and lead imaging surface performance demonstrated superior performance in the lead; (C) a new cryogenic sensor support material was patented; and (D) development of novel software and analog background rejection techniques. Support is now being requested to (1) complete assembly of the whole-head MEG system will all SQUID magnetometers; (2) complete flux-locked loop design implementing our new control and background cancellation techniques; (3) implement a powerful real-time data acquisition system with data management, display and analysis; (4) use phantom measurements to test and calibrate sensitivity, imaging and noise performance, and shielding characteristics of the sensor array; (5) experimentally verify system using a sophisticated phantom; and (6) acquire experimental data for human subjects under the same conditions as NIH-funded experimental studies of the visual and somatosensory systems. The work proposed here will result in a fully functional whole-head MEG system based on new physics applications, sensors design, and fabrication techniques that promise to dramatically reduce system cost and complexity while improving system performance. Such a system will be of great value to both basic neuroscience and clinical applications.