Helmet for Functional Neuroimaging Studies

描述（由申请人提供）：我们建议设计，制造和测试一系列拟人设计的头盔，用于光学断层扫描功能神经成像研究。头盔的设计将基于激光扫描颅骨人体测量产生的现有数据库的尺寸。将制造为弹簧光纤提供机械支撑的弧形结构，并将其安装在具有头盔式设计的可调节支架上。这些弧线，将体现与三种主要头部形状相对应的最佳轮廓几何形状，将被设计为允许以正面或倾斜的方向放置在受试者的头部，从而能够完全进入头盖骨的任何部位。它们还可以作为隔离装置，允许直接目视检查纤维与头皮的接触。我们还将介绍一个灵活的低浮力机械支撑臂，将有助于卸载头盔的重量从主体的头部。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose to design, fabricate and test a series of anthropromorphically designed helmets for optical tomographic functional neuroimaging studies. The helmet design will be based on dimensions derived from an existing database generated by laser scanning cranial anthropometry. Arc-like structures that provide mechanical support to springloaded optical fibers will be fabricated, and will be fitted to an adjustable scaffold having a helmet-type design. These arcs, which will embody optimally contoured geometries corresponding to the three dominant head shapes, will be designed to allow placement on the head of a subject in either a frontal or oblique orientation, thus enabling complete access to the any site on the cranium. They will also act as stand-offs that will permit direct visual inspection of fiber-scalp contact. We will also introduce a flexible low-buoyancy mechanical support arm that will serve to offload the weight of the helmet from the subject's head. We also propose to perform repeatability studies on healthy non-balding and nearly bald volunteers of different races, to determine the variability in optical signal levels at various sites on the head associated with a global blood pressure provocation (quantitative Valsalva maneuver). This information will be used to introduce adjustments to the attachment mechanisms of the fiber-optic support arcs to allow for optimal performance of the helmet design. For a select group of volunteers, we will perform finger-tapping studies to assess the ability of the imaging helmet and associated measuring system to provide for repeatable measures of localized hemodynamic changes in response to neural activation. In a subgroup of these, we will also perform functional MR studies using a similar protocol, to independently validate results from the optical studies. Successful completion of the listed aims, combined with additional refinements under a Phase II effort, will provide the research and clinical investigational community with comprehensively designed (hardware and software) and economical optical neuroimaging system capable of evaluating a broad spectrum of functional states.