Abstract
BackgroundDetection of locally increased blood concentration and perfusion is critical for assessment of functional cortical activity as well as diagnosis of conditions such as intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Current paradigms for assessment of regional blood concentration in the brain rely on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and perfusion blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI).ResultsIn this study, we developed computational models to test the feasibility of novel magnetic sensors capable of detecting hemodynamic changes within the brain on a microtesla-level. We show that low-field magnetic sensors can accurately detect changes in magnetic flux density and eddy current damping signals resulting from increases in local blood concentration. These models predicted that blood volume changes as small as 1.26 mL may be resolved by the sensors, implying potential use for diagnosis of ICH and assessment of regional blood flow as a proxy for cerebral metabolism and neuronal activity. We then translated findings from our computational model to demonstrate feasibility of accurate detection of modeled ICH in a simulated human cadaver setting.ConclusionsOverall, microtesla-level magnetic scanning is feasible, safe, and has distinct advantages compared to current standards of care. Computational modeling may facilitate rapid prototype development and testing of novel medical devices with minimal risk to human participants prior to device construction and clinical trials.
Highlights
Detection of locally increased blood concentration and perfusion is critical for assessment of functional cortical activity as well as diagnosis of conditions such as intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)
Our aim in this study is to develop computational models to evaluate the feasibility of microtesla-level magnetic brain scanning, including both detection of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and neural population activation
Small coil 3D modeling We evaluated the magnetic flux density generated within a head model when a small solenoid coil was placed concentrically above an elliptical volume of increased blood concentration
Summary
Detection of locally increased blood concentration and perfusion is critical for assessment of functional cortical activity as well as diagnosis of conditions such as intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Current paradigms for assessment of regional blood concentration in the brain rely on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and perfusion blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI). Our aim in this study is to develop computational models to evaluate the feasibility of microtesla-level magnetic brain scanning, including both detection of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and neural population activation. The current paradigm for ICH detection involves either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) imaging, both of which involve expensive and non-portable equipment [5,6,7]. Shahrestani et al BMC Biomedical Engineering (2022) 4:1 one popular method of noninvasively quantifying neuronal population activity is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which utilizes changes in blood flow and oxygenation (blood oxygen level dependent, or BOLD contrast) to predict neural activity [8]. ICH and increased neuronal activity share in common the feature of relative increases in local blood concentration compared to steady state, non-active brain, and wearable medical devices capable of detecting local changes in blood concentration may facilitate rapid prediction of hemorrhage or increases in brain activity
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