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An integrated MEG-EEG system for clinical studies
Matti HämäläinenBrain Research Unit, Low Temperature Laboratory, Helsinki University of Technology, 02015 HUT, Espoo, Finland
A novel 306-channel Vectorview[trademark] neuromagnetometer, representing the next generation in the development of MEG devices, has been installed recently in our Laboratory by Neu-ro-mag Ltd.
In addition to the increased number of channels, our new system in-cor-porates several novel features which are important both in basic research and in clinical studies:
- The new device covers a larger area than any other neuromagnetometer, thereby making studies of the cerebellum and of the inferior surfaces of the temporal and occipital lobes more feasible.
- The instrument contains, in addition to planar gradiometers applied in our previous 122-channel device, magnetometers which make the device more suitable for studies of subcortical structures and for pediatric measurements.
- The system can be operated with the subject both in sitting and in lying position, thus facilitating, e.g., child, patient, and sleep studies.
- The electronics has been redesigned to utilize digital signal processors, which makes it possible, e.g., to suppress external disturbances already in the hardware.
- The data sampling rate has been increased to 3 kHz per channel, allowing fast signals to be recorded.
- Up to 128 channels of EEG can be recorded simultaneously and integrated with the MEG data in the analysis software.
- The head position is continuously monitored and the resulting time-dependent positional data can be utilized in the source localization algorithms.
