Infant OPM-MEG Helmet for Measuring Brain Activity
THE CHALLENGE:
Understanding infant brain development is crucial for early detection of neurological disorders and for advancing research in cognitive and sensory development. Neuroimaging technologies enable scientists and clinicians to monitor brain activity, providing insights into how infants' brains respond to various stimuli and interact with their environment. However, studying brain function in infants presents unique challenges, as traditional imaging methods must accommodate the intolerance for discomfort and dynamic behavior of young children. There is a significant need for neuroimaging tools that are non-invasive, comfortable, and capable of capturing high-resolution data in naturalistic settings to facilitate accurate and meaningful observations of early neural processes.
Current neuroimaging approaches, such as conventional magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems, face several limitations when applied to infant populations. These systems are typically large, heavy, and require cryogenic cooling, making them impractical for naturalistic behavioral, particularly social, paradigms with small and active infants. The high cost and complexity of existing technologies further limit their accessibility for widespread clinical and research applications, hindering the ability to conduct comprehensive studies on infant brain development in more natural and interactive environments.
OUR SOLUTION:
A lightweight Optically Pumped Magnetometer-Magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG) cap has been developed specifically for infants aged 0 to 18 months. It features a 3D-printed rigid outer shell made from polylactic acid (PLA) and flexible sensor holders crafted from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The cap supports a dense array of adjustable and removable OPM sensors that use rubidium vapor and lasers to detect magnetic fields generated by the brain without requiring cryogenic cooling. This allows the sensors to be placed closer to the scalp, enhancing both temporal and spatial resolution. The design is customizable to fit various head sizes and shapes, and mitigates typical infant head movements. Additionally, the cap ensures comfort and safety with features like a cotton or neoprene bonnet interface and quick removal mechanisms, making it a non-invasive and motion-tolerant system optimized for infant neuroimaging.
This technology stands out as the first and only OPM-MEG helmet system specifically engineered for infants and toddlers, addressing critical limitations of existing neuroimaging tools. Its movement-tolerant design allows for the observation of natural infant behavior while still collecting high-quality data, which is essential for studying early neural development and parent-infant interactions. The use of room temperature operation eliminates the need for bulky cryogenic equipment, reducing costs to approximately one-third of traditional MEG systems and making it accessible to research institutes and neurological clinics. The system’s ability to maintain data integrity during interactive experiments and its customizable sensor positioning ensure superior performance in natural settings. These unique features enable earlier detection of developmental disorders and facilitate groundbreaking research, setting this OPM-MEG cap apart in the field of pediatric neurological monitoring.
ADVANTAGES:
- Non-invasive and comfortable design tailored for infants
- Lightweight and customizable to various head sizes and shapes
- Motion-tolerant, allowing natural infant behavior during measurements
- High temporal and spatial resolution with sensors placed close to the scalp
- Enables early detection of developmental disorders
- Facilitates research into infant brain development in natural settings
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
- Early developmental disorder detection
- Pediatric neurological monitoring
- Developmental assessment labs
- Infant brain studies
