Wearable Brain Scanner

A new brain imaging system has been developed that allows subjects to move around freely while they’re being scanned. The revolutionary device will enable many individuals who could otherwise not be tested – including babies and patients with movement disorders – to benefit from magnetoencephalography (MEG).

MEG maps functional brain activity by measuring the magnetic field generated just outside the skull. It traditionally requires a person to remain very still inside a scanner. However, the new device is portable and is worn like a helmet. Conventional bulky sensors have been replaced with miniature ones that can be 3-D printed to fit any size head and are attached directly to the scalp.

To date, the device has been tested on four subjects performing tasks ranging from drinking tea to playing ball. Although the monitoring environment must be specially shielded to block outside magnetic fields, there are many potential applications that can be studied, including analyzing brain activity during problem-solving exercises or while communicating with others.