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Optically-pumped magnetometer arrays for magnetoencephalography

Project description

New technology for the routine use of magnetoencephalography

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a non-invasive imaging method that detects magnetic fields that the brain naturally produces and is used to examine brain activity in humans. Although instrumental in the diagnosis of epilepsy and brain trauma, the use of MEG is currently limited due to its cost, space requirements, and need for specialised staff. Funded by the European Innovation Council, the OPMMEG project aims to improve the sensitivity of MEG by introducing innovative sensor technology. Additional advantages of this new technology include high performance, cost-effectiveness and manufacture at scale for widespread use in MEG. Project results will pave the way for the introduction of MEG in routine clinical practice.

Objective

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. 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. 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 (OPMs) are a cryogen-free quantum sensor technology with extraordinary magnetic sensitivity.
Relative to cryogenic methods, OPM provide a superior balance of sensitivity, size and proximity to the cortex, but have not yet been
implemented in technologies that are simultaneously manufacturable at scale, high-performing, and cost-effective. OPMMEG will
develop an OPM array that meets these requirements for wide-spread use of OPMs in MEG, and demonstrate its application to
magnetoencephalography.

The project brings together world leaders in quantum sensor components and systems, commercial MEG systems and MEG
applications. OMPMEG will build a value chain from photonic devices to systems connecting all relevant stakeholders. The consortium
is composed of 2 SMEs, 2 world-class research organizations and 1 university from 3 European countries. 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.

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HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2022-TRANSITION-01

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Coordinator

TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 763 773,75
Address
TEKNIIKANTIE 21
02150 Espoo
Finland

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Region
Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 763 773,75

Participants (4)

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