Abstract:

Neuromagnetic imaging is a relatively new diagnostic tool for examination of electrical activities in the nervous system. It is based on the non-invasive detection of extremely weak magnetic fields around the human body with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) detectors. Often the equivalent current dipole model is used to describe the centre of the electrical activity. New current density reconstruction methods enable the imaging of the spatial extent and structure of neuronal activities. For practical use in medical diagnosis a combination of the abstract neuromagnetic images with MR or CT images is required in order to match the functional activity with anatomy and morphology. The neuromagnetic images can be overlaid onto three-dimensional morphological images with spatially arbitrarily selectable slices. The matching of both imaging modalities is discussed. On the basis of the detection of auditory evoked magnetic fields, neuromagnetic images are reconstructed with linear estimation theory algorithms. The MR images are used as a priori information of the volume conductor geometry and allow an attachment of functional and morphological properties.

Abstract:

At the current state of technology, multichannel simultaneous recording of combined electric potentials and magnetic fields should constitute the most powerful tool for separation and localization of focal brain activity. We performed an explorative study of multichannel simultaneous electric SEPs and magnetically recorded SEFs. MEG only sees tangentially oriented sources, while EEG signals include the entire activity of the brain. These characteristics were found to be very useful in separating multiple sources with overlap of activity in time. The electrically recorded SEPs were adequately modelled by three equivalent dipoles located: (1) in the region of the brainstem, modelling the P14 peak at the scalp, (2) a tangentially oriented dipole, modelling the N20-P20 and N30-P30 peaks, and part of the P45, and (3) a radially oriented dipole, modelling the P22 peak and part of the P45, both located in the region of the somatosensory cortex. Magnetically recorded SEFs were adequately modelled by a single equivalent dipole, modelling the N20-P20 and N30-P30 peaks, located close to the posterior bank of the central sulcus, in area 3b (mean deviation: 3 mm). The tangential sources in the electrical data were located 6 mm on average from the area 3b. MEG and EEG was able to locate the sources of finger stimulated SEFs in accordance with the somatotopic arrangement along the central fissure. A combined analysis demonstrated that MEG can provide constraints to the orientation and location of sources and helps to stabilize the inverse solution in a multiple-source model of the EEG.

Abstract:

A modular multichannel SQUID-system, in which every single channel can be optimized or replaced individually, is presented. The DC-SQUIDs based on the materials NbN/MgO are prepared by thin film technology and show noise values below 10μΦ0/√Hz. A simplified way of coupling the modulation and feedback current directly to the coupling coil is realized The complete SQUID module including the superconducting shield was miniaturized down to a diameter of 5mm. The gradiometers are wire wound and an as made balancing better than 10−3 is achieved. The cryogenic system was optimized with respect to low vibrations and low helium boil off rate. Simple conductive paint with precisely adjusted surface resistivity is used for RF-shielding. The complete SQUID-electronic of one channel has been realized on one single board and uses a new bias modulation scheme to completely suppress intrinsic 1/f noise. The noise level of the complete system is below 10fT/√Hz. Biomagnetic measurements of the human heart and brain are presented. Single current dipole reconstructions and current density imaging techniques can be used to find the underlying sources. Using a special coil positioning system an overlay of the functional current images with morphological MR-images can be carried out.

Abstract:

Current sources in the human body can be localized by measuring the biomagnetic fields with multichannel SQUID systems. Important system aspects are the noise level, the ambient field suppression, the dynamic range, the reliability, the number of channels, and the arrangement of gradiometers. From the users point of view the most important quality factor is the accuracy with which a current dipole can be localized. A test procedure is proposed to determine the localization power of the system. A 31-channel-SQUID system is presented together with the results of the test. The crucial parts of the system determining the accuracy are pointed out.

Abstract:

Currently, linear estimation reconstruction is the only feasible method for extracting information about spatially distributed current sources from measurements of neural magnetic fields. We present the results of a systematic study of the effect of the signal-to-noise ratio on the imaging quality of one such algorithm in over-as well as undetermined circumstances. In particular, we will discuss the necessary trade-off between the contradictory goals of a minimum norm of the reconstructed current density distribution and of a minimal deviation of the reconstructed fields from the measured fields. As an example, we show the reconstruction of a simple arrangement of two nearly parallel dipoles in two different depths inside a spherical volume conductor, discussing the differences between the computer simulation without noise and simulation with a realistic noise level.

Abstract:

A 19-channel SQUID system for biomagnetic measurements has been developed. This system differs from standard instruments in its modular approach. Various gradiometers can be coupled to the SQUIDs, the cryogenic system allows the exchange of single channels and the electronics is based on a cassette system. Problems with thermal insulation, vibrations of the gradiometers and tilted gradiometer geometries are discussed and solutions are presented.

Abstract:

Neuromagnetic imaging is a relatively new diagnostic tool for examination of electric activities in the nervous system. It is based on the noninvasive detection of extremely weak magnetic fields around the human body with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) detectors. `Equivalent current dipoles' and linear estimation reconstructions of current distributions both with spherical volume conductor models are used to localize the neural activity. For practical use in medical diagnosis a combination of the abstract neuromagnetic images with magnetic resonance (MR)- or computer tomography (CT)-images is required in order to match the functional activity with anatomy and morphology. The neuromagnetic images can be overlayed onto three-dimensional morphological images with spatially arbitrarily selectable slices. The matching of both imaging modalities is discussed. Based on the detection of auditory evoked magnetic fields, neuromagnetic images are reconstructed with linear estimation theory algorithms. The MR images are used as a-priori information of the volume conductor geometry and they allow an attachment of functional and morphological properties.

Abstract:

A modular multichannel superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) system, in which every channel can be optimized or replaced individually, was further improved. The number of channels was increased to 31. The noise level is better than 10 fT/√Hz. A novel way of RF shielding using conductive paint avoids degradation of the SQUID characteristics due to RF interference without introducing significant extra noise, so that the system works without any Faraday cage. A simplified way of coupling the modulation and feedback signal directly to the SQUID was developed and tested successfully. The SQUID module with superconducting connections to the gradiometer and its superconducting shield was miniaturized to an outer diameter of 5 mm, so that it can be placed near the gradiometer without introducing significant unbalance. Tests have demonstrated that the accuracy of the system with respect to the localization of a single current dipole is better than 2 mm

Abstract:

A modular low-noise seven-channel SQUID-magnetometer for biomagnetic measurements was developed. The DC-SQUIDs are prepared by thin film technology based on the materials NbN-MgO-NbN, and show a flux noise below 10 μΦ0/√Hz. The signal is picked up with first-order wire-wound gradiometers of 2-cm diameter and coupled to the SQUIDs by integrated coupling coils. Individual channels can be replaced from the system, and various gradiometers can be used giving a flexible modular system. The electronics are based on the flux-locked-loop method extended by a bias modulation technique to reduce 1/f noise. The overall system noise is below 20 fT/√Hz. Biomagnetic measurements on auditory evoked fields have been carried out