Development of A Room Temperature Atomic Magnetrode System for Telemetry of Epileptic Seizures
University of Colorado, Denver
Summary
This study is being done to help scientists learn about the use of a device called an atomic magnetometer. The device uses sensors called optically-pumped magnetometers (OPM) which function at room temperature. This research will compare the non-invasive brain imaging application of the OPM sensors to the present SQUID-based cryogenic sensor technique used in conventional Magnetoencephalography (MEG). This study is being conducted in conjunction with the University of Colorado Boulder's Mechanical Engineering Department.
Description
Investigators at UC Boulder have an active program to develop "chip-scale" optically-pumped magnetometer (OPM) sensors, which combine high sensitivity with small size, low cost and low power operation. These sensors are an attractive alternative to superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers for the reasons outlined below, but remain largely unverified for use in biomagnetic applications. While considerable testing can be carried out without the use of humans, human testing is considered essential to encourage acceptance of this technology by the biomagnetic research comm…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Project A: Any adult subject, who is at least eighteen (18 - 70) years old. * Project B: Any clinical patient referred to us via the clinical MEG program, and who is at least eighteen (18 - 70) years old. Exclusion Criteria: * ONLY applicable to Project A: have a history of neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer's disease, Autism, etc…). * BOTH projects: have large amounts of metal or other magnetic field producing components present in their body or external to their body close to the measurement site, which are needed for normal function…
Interventions
- DeviceOPM sensors
Optically-pumped magnetometers (OPM) sensors, which are based on optical probing of alkali atoms in the vapor phase at (or slightly above) room temperature, have recently demonstrated sensitivity levels comparable with SQUID magnetometers in the laboratory. These sensors require no cooling and can potentially be fabricated at much lower cost than SQUIDs. Beginning in the late 1990s, optically-pumped magnetometers began to be used for biomagnetic applications, first for measurement of heart magnetic fields and more recently for measurement of brain fields by several groups around the world.
- DeviceSQUID sensors
Magnetic sensors based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) have been the dominant sensor in the field of magnetoencephalography since its birth in the early 1970s. SQUIDs have exceptional sensitivity to enable the detection of these very weak signals. Current FDA-approved MEG devices contain liquid helium gas in a big container that is mounted over the head of the subject
Location
- University of Colorado School of Medicine - Anschutz Medical CampusAurora, Colorado