Magnetoencephalography System and Method for 3D Localization and Tracking of Electrical Activity in Brain
AssigneeThe John Hopkins University
InventorsHarvey W. Ko, Ibolja Cernak, Michael P. McLoughlin
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Abstract
A magnetoencephalogram (MEG) system is provided for use with a head. The MEG system includes a shell, and three three-axis gradiometers and a computing portion. Each three-axis gradiometer detects a magnetic field vector from a magnetic dipole in the head and generates a respective detected signal based on the respective magnetic field vector. Each three-axis gradiometer is disposed at a respective position of the shell. The computing portion determines a location of the magnetic dipole based on the first detected signal, the second detected signal and the third detected signal.
Claims16
A magnetoencephalography system for use with a head, said magnetoencephalography system comprising:
- a shell having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface being shaped to surround the head;
- a first three-axis gradiometer operable to detect a first magnetic field vector from a magnetic dipole in the head and to generate a first detected signal based on the first magnetic field vector, said first three-axis gradiometer being disposed at a first position of said inner surface;
- a second three-axis gradiometer operable to detect a second magnetic field vector from the magnetic dipole in the head and to generate a second detected signal based on the second magnetic field vector, said second three-axis gradiometer being disposed at a second position of said inner surface;
- a third three-axis gradiometer operable to detect a third magnetic field vector from the magnetic dipole in the head and to generate a third detected signal based on the third magnetic field vector, said third three-axis gradiometer being disposed at a third position of said inner surface;
- a computing portion operable to determine a location of the magnetic dipole based on the first detected signal, the second detected signal and the third detected signal.
A magnetoencephalography method for detecting magnetic fields in a head, said magnetoencephalography method comprising:
- surrounding the head with a device including a shell, a first three-axis gradiometer, a second three-axis gradiometer and a third three-axis gradiometer, the shell having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being shaped to surround the head, the first three-axis gradiometer being disposed at a first position of the inner surface, the second three-axis gradiometer being disposed at a second position of the inner surface and the third three-axis gradiometer being disposed at a third position of the inner surface;
- detecting, via the first three-axis gradiometer, a first magnetic field vector from a magnetic dipole in the head;
- generating, via the first three-axis gradiometer, a first detected signal based on the first magnetic field vector;
- detecting, via the second three-axis gradiometer, a second magnetic field vector from the magnetic dipole in the head;
- generating, via the second three-axis gradiometer, a second detected signal based on the second magnetic field vector;
- detecting, via the third three-axis gradiometer, a third magnetic field vector from the magnetic dipole in the head;
- generating, via the third three-axis gradiometer, a third detected signal based on the first magnetic field vector;
- and
- determining, via a computing portion, a location of the magnetic dipole based on the first detected signal, the second detected signal and the third detected signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.