Lightweight and wearable magnetoencephalography system based on spatially-grid constrained coils and compact magnetically shielded room

Abstract

Magnetoencephalography based on optically pumped magnetometers can passively detect the ultra-weak brain magnetic field signals, which has significant clinical application prospects for the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral disorders. This paper proposes a brain magnetic signal measurement method on the basis of the active–passive coupling magnetic shielding strategy and helmet-mounted detection array, which has lower cost and comparable performance over the existing ones. We first utilized the spatially-grid constrained coils and biplanar coils with proportion–integration–differentiation controller with tracking differentiator to ensure a near-zero and stable magnetic field environment with large uniform region. Subsequently, we implemented the brain magnetic signal measurement with the subject randomly moving fingers through tapping a keyboard and with the condition of opening and closing the eyes. Effectively induced brain magnetic signals were detected at the motor functional area and occipital lobe area in the two experiments, respectively. The proposed method will contribute to the development of functional brain imaging.

Keywords

• Magnetoencephalography
• Spatially-grid constrained coil
• Ultra-high space utilization ratio
• Active–passive coupling magnetic shielding strategy
• Induced brain magnetic signals measurement