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Brief tour of BioMag
Background
The BioMag Laboratory started operation in 1995 in order to bring new techniques in
bioelectromagnetism into a hospital environment and to further develop the technique. The two key persons in arranging this were prof. Toivo Katila and prof. Pekka Karp.
Acknowledgements
Putting together of the BioMag center was made possible by work previously done in Finland by:
Motivation
The BioMag Laboratory was established to
- Bring biomagnetism into the Helsinki University Central Hospital
- Evaluate and assess the new technology
- Provide MEG and MCG to various user
groups at the hospital, at the Helsinki Univ. of Technology, and at the University of Helsinki
Some design features
- Shared shielded room and data acquisition computers for MEG and MCG
- Separate area for patient preparation allows efficient usage of measurement time
- Fast network connections to Radiology Department (transfer of MRIs) and to the Helsinki University of Technology
Methodological
- 64-channel EEG/ECG system works simultaneously with MEG/MGC
- MRI & fMRI are used to help solve the inverse problem
- Artefacts from external noise, eye movements, or magnetic particles in body can be removed with the Signal-Space Projection method
- MEG in infants is studied with the MCG device
- Special examination seat for children
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with 60-channel EEG
Quick start!
During the first year of operation (1995), 767 measurement sessions (288 on patients) were completed at BioMag.
Conclusion
Large magnetometer arrays have opened the way to clinical evaluation and assessment of biomagnetism in hospitals. Our experience at the Helsinki University Central Hospital is encouraging.
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