Optically-pumped magnetometer arrays for magnetoencephalography

Introduction

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a non-invasive imaging technique for investigating human brain function, uniquely capable of measuring brain activity with good spatial and temporal resolution. MEG operates by detecting magnetic fields naturally produced by the brain, with no applied fields or injections.

Clinical Applications

Epilepsy diagnosis is the most advanced clinical application for MEG. Six million people are affected by epilepsy in Europe alone, with about 300,000 new cases every year. Use cases for MEG are growing, for example, diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which represents more than half of the 2.5 million new TBI cases each year in Europe.

Current Limitations

Clinical use of MEG is at present limited to large hospitals and elite clinics due to space, cost, and the need for specialized cryogenics technicians.

Optically Pumped Magnetometers

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are a cryogen-free quantum sensor technology with extraordinary magnetic sensitivity. Relative to cryogenic methods, OPMs provide a superior balance of sensitivity, size, and proximity to the cortex. However, they have not yet been implemented in technologies that are simultaneously manufacturable at scale, high-performing, and cost-effective.

Project Goals

OPMMEG will develop an OPM array that meets these requirements for widespread use of OPMs in MEG and demonstrate its application to magnetoencephalography.

Consortium Collaboration

The project brings together world leaders in quantum sensor components and systems, commercial MEG systems, and MEG applications. OPMMEG will build a value chain from photonic devices to systems connecting all relevant stakeholders.

Consortium Composition

The consortium is composed of:

1. 2 SMEs
2. 2 world-class research organizations
3. 1 university from 3 European countries

Expected Impact

The position of these organizations in their respective markets guarantees that the project results will be widely exploited, providing the companies with a technological advantage over their worldwide competitors, thus creating new high-tech jobs and technology leadership in Europe.