A brain function imaging method and system with channel visualization and custom arrangement

Abstract

The present invention discloses a brain function imaging method with a channel visualization custom arrangement, comprising the following steps: a, establishing a channel arrangement grid diagram, a 3D head model and a fiber cap model through software; b, matching the grid diagram with the fiber cap model; c, performing a custom channel arrangement on the grid diagram according to the brain function detection requirements, and mapping the channel arrangement data to the 3D head model for visual display; d, determining whether the channel arrangement needs to be adjusted, and if so, returning to step c; if not, sending the channel arrangement data to a lower computer; e, the lower computer controls the opening of the channel at the corresponding position on the fiber cap according to the channel arrangement data, and obtains imaging data that meets the brain function detection requirements. The invention can customize the channel arrangement on the grid diagram by establishing a channel arrangement grid diagram and matching the grid diagram with the fiber cap model, and can quickly and accurately adjust the channel arrangement to meet actual needs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of near-infrared brain function imaging, and in particular relates to a brain function imaging method and system with a channel visualization and custom arrangement. Background Art

[0002] As representatives of brain function imaging technology, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and electroencephalography (EEG) play an important role in the field of brain function research and the diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases. However, the high cost, low temporal resolution, restrictions on subjects or patients themselves, and possible side effects have limited the application of these technologies. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has become an important part of brain function imaging technology with its advantages of low cost, high temporal resolution, no side effects, and no restrictions on subjects or patients.

[0003] Near-infrared spectral imaging technology was developed earlier abroad, and relatively mature products have been developed, such as the ETG series of Hitachi, Japan, the FOIRE series of Shimadzu, and the CW series of TechEn, USA. However, the relevant technology in China is relatively backward, and there are no relatively mature products.

[0004] The Chinese patent with publication number CN103156620A discloses a multi-channel parallel near-infrared spectral imaging system, which uses multi-wavelength LEDs to complete the emission of near-infrared light, avalanche photodiodes to detect weak light signals, and analog lock-in amplifier technology to achieve signal amplification. The near-infrared spectral brain function imaging helmet disclosed in Chinese patent application CN200520002784.8 can be used to improve the unreasonable design of the adaptive head part. The multi-channel parallel near-infrared spectral imaging system of the patent can realize continuous, rapid and accurate detection and acquisition of brain blood oxygen signals, solve the shortcomings of the existing functional near-infrared system, and truly give play to the advantages of functional near-infrared spectral imaging technology over other brain function imaging technologies. Although the near-infrared spectral imaging system of the above patent can complete blood oxygen information detection, it still has the following defects: different research topics or brain function detection needs require the observation of brain area functions in different parts through near-infrared equipment, and different brain areas require different channel arrangements, while the above patents cannot achieve highly free visual channel arrangement. When different brain area functions need to be detected, visual custom adjustment cannot be made, and channel arrangement is more troublesome.

[0005] Therefore, it is urgent to propose a brain functional imaging method and system with customized channel visualization arrangement to solve the above technical problems. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a brain function imaging method and system with channel visualization and custom arrangement to address the problems existing in the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0008] A brain functional imaging method with a channel visualization custom arrangement comprises the following steps:

[0009] a. Establishing a channel arrangement grid diagram, a 3D head model, and an optical fiber cap model matching the 3D head model through software;

[0010] b, matching the grid map with the fiber cap model;

[0011] c. Customize channel arrangement on the grid map according to the requirements of brain function detection, and map the channel arrangement data onto the 3D head model for visual display;

[0012] d. Determine whether the channel arrangement needs to be adjusted. If so, return to step c; if not, send the channel arrangement data to the lower computer;

[0013] e. The lower computer controls the opening of the channels at the corresponding positions on the optical fiber cap according to the channel arrangement data to obtain imaging data that meets the requirements of brain function detection.

[0014] The present invention establishes a channel arrangement grid map and matches the grid map with the fiber cap model, so that the channel arrangement can be customized on the grid map; and the channel arrangement data is mapped to the 3D head model for visual display, which facilitates the visual adjustment of the channel arrangement, and can quickly and accurately adjust the channel arrangement to meet actual research or detection needs.

[0015] Specifically, in step a, the distribution of grid points in the grid map corresponds to the distribution of probes on the optical fiber cap, that is, each grid point position in the grid map corresponds to a probe position on the optical fiber cap.

[0016] Specifically, in step b, the position information of each probe on the fiber optic cap is mapped to the corresponding grid points on the grid map, and the position information of each probe on the fiber optic cap matches the position information of the corresponding part on the 3D head model; when the transmitting probe or the receiving probe is placed on a grid point in the grid map, the transmitting probe or the receiving probe on the corresponding fiber optic cap that matches the grid point position is turned on.

[0017] Specifically, in step c, the channel arrangement data includes: the number and position information of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes on the grid map; after the positions and numbers of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes are custom arranged in the grid map, the transmitting probes and the receiving probes matching the grid positions on the fiber optic cap are turned on, thus forming a detection light signal transceiver channel; since the position information of the 3D head model matches that of the fiber optic cap model, after the positions and numbers of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes are configured in the grid map, the light signal transceiver channel can be displayed on the 3D head model accordingly, that is, the number and positions of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes can be displayed on the 3D head model, thereby realizing a visual display of the detection light signal transceiver channel and facilitating adjustment of the channel arrangement.

[0018] Specifically, in step d, the basis for determining whether the channel arrangement needs to be adjusted is whether the current channel arrangement meets the requirements for the detection or research of the functional imaging position of the brain area; if the current channel arrangement cannot detect a specific brain area, the channel arrangement needs to be adjusted, and at this time, the channel arrangement on the 3D head model can be observed while being adjusted.

[0019] Specifically, in step e, the present invention controls the opening and closing of the transmitting probe and the receiving probe at various positions on the optical fiber cap through the lower computer, thereby realizing rapid adjustment of the channel arrangement and improving the channel adjustment efficiency.

[0020] Corresponding to the above-mentioned brain function imaging method with a channel visualization and custom arrangement, the present invention also proposes a brain function imaging system with a channel visualization and custom arrangement, including a host computer, a slave computer and an optical fiber cap connected in sequence;

[0021] The host computer is used to establish a channel arrangement grid diagram, a 3D head model and an optical fiber cap model, and perform customized channel arrangement and visual display of channel arrangement;

[0022] The lower computer is used to control the opening of the channel at the corresponding position on the optical fiber cap according to the channel arrangement data;

[0023] A plurality of transmitting probes and a plurality of receiving probes are arranged at intervals inside the optical fiber cap, and the transmitting probes and the receiving probes are electrically connected to the lower computer respectively;

[0024] The lower computer controls the operation of the receiving probe and the transmitting probe at the corresponding position on the optical fiber cap according to the channel arrangement data released by the upper computer. The detection light signal emitted by the transmitting probe is received by the receiving probe after being reflected by the cerebral cortex. The receiving probe converts the received spectral signal into an electrical signal and transmits it to the lower computer. The lower computer uploads the electrical signal to the upper computer. The upper computer performs a series of digital filtering sampling and restoration processing on the transmitted electrical signal to obtain brain function imaging data of the detection object.

[0025] The present invention integrates the emission of detection light and the reception of spectral signals in the probe of the fiber optic cap, and adopts electrical signal transmission instead of optical signal transmission. There is no need to connect optical fiber to the probe, which reduces the burden on users and improves the user experience.

[0026] Specifically, the transmitting probe and the receiving probe are coupled optical transceiver probes with exactly the same structure;

[0027] The optical transceiver probe is used to transmit a detection light signal to the cerebral cortex or receive a spectral signal reflected back by the cerebral cortex;

[0028] The lower computer is used to control the switching of the working mode of the optical transceiver probe.

[0029] Furthermore, the optical transceiver probe comprises:

[0030] At least two light emitting units, used for emitting detection light signals of multiple wavelengths;

[0031] A light receiving unit, used for receiving the spectral signal reflected back by the cerebral cortex;

[0032] A housing, used to encapsulate the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit;

[0033] An inlet and outlet are arranged at one end of the housing for the entry and exit of optical signals.

[0034] Furthermore, the two light emitting units are respectively installed obliquely on the two opposite side walls of the housing, and two reflectors are also provided on the two opposite side walls of the housing, and the reflective surfaces of the two reflectors correspond to the light emitting directions of the two light emitting units respectively, and the reflectors are used to guide the detection light emitted by the light emitting units out of the inlet and outlet of the housing; the light receiving unit is installed at one end of the housing away from the inlet and outlet. This design can further reduce the volume of the probe, making the integration of the probe more compact and convenient for installation on the optical fiber cap.

[0035] Furthermore, the working modes of the optical transceiver probe include a transmitting mode and a receiving mode;

[0036] When switched to the transmission mode, the light receiving unit stops working and the light transmitting unit works normally;

[0037] When switched to the receiving mode, the light emitting unit stops working and the light receiving unit works normally.

[0038] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) By establishing a channel arrangement grid diagram and matching the grid diagram with the fiber optic cap model, the present invention can customize the channel arrangement on the grid diagram; and map the channel arrangement data to the 3D head model for visual display, so as to facilitate the visual adjustment of the channel arrangement, and can quickly and accurately adjust the channel arrangement to meet the actual research or detection needs; (2) By integrating the emission of detection light and the reception of spectral signals in the probe of the fiber optic cap, the present invention adopts the method of electrical signal transmission instead of the method of optical signal transmission, and does not need to connect the optical fiber to the probe, thereby reducing the burden of the user wearing and improving the user experience; (3) The optical transceiver probe of the present invention can be used as both a transmitting probe and a receiving probe. During specific use, the arrangement can be customized according to actual needs, thereby improving the efficiency of channel adjustment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of a brain function imaging method with customized arrangement of visualized channels according to Example 1 of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the channel arrangement grid diagram in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the effect of arranging transmitting probes and receiving probes on a grid diagram in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the internal optical path when the optical transceiver probe is switched to the transmission mode in Example 2 of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the internal optical path when the optical transceiver probe is switched to the receiving mode in Example 2 of the present invention.

[0044] In the figure: 1. Shell; 2. Light receiving unit; 3. Light emitting unit; 4. Reflector; 5. Inlet and outlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] Example 1

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a method for brain function imaging with a channel visualization custom arrangement, comprising the following steps:

[0048] a. Use 3D software (3D software is installed on the host computer) to establish a channel arrangement grid diagram, a 3D head model, and a fiber cap model matching the 3D head model;

[0049] b, matching the grid map with the fiber cap model;

[0050] c. Customize channel arrangement on the grid map according to the requirements of brain function detection, and map the channel arrangement data onto the 3D head model for visual display;

[0051] d. Determine whether the channel arrangement needs to be adjusted. If so, return to step c; if not, send the channel arrangement data to the lower computer;

[0052] e. The lower computer controls the opening of the channels at the corresponding positions on the optical fiber cap according to the channel arrangement data to obtain imaging data that meets the requirements of brain function detection.

[0053] The present invention establishes a channel arrangement grid map and matches the grid map with the fiber cap model, so that the channel arrangement can be customized on the grid map; and the channel arrangement data is mapped to the 3D head model for visual display, which facilitates the visual adjustment of the channel arrangement, and can quickly and accurately adjust the channel arrangement to meet actual research or detection needs.

[0054] Specifically, Figure 2 As shown, in step a, the distribution of grid points in the grid map corresponds to the distribution of probes on the optical fiber cap, that is, each grid point position in the grid map corresponds to a probe position on the optical fiber cap.

[0055] Specifically, in step b, the position information of each probe on the fiber optic cap is mapped to the corresponding grid points on the grid map, and the position information of each probe on the fiber optic cap matches the position information of the corresponding part on the 3D head model; when the transmitting probe or the receiving probe is placed on a grid point in the grid map, the transmitting probe or the receiving probe on the corresponding fiber optic cap that matches the grid point position is turned on.

[0056] Specifically, in step c, the channel arrangement data includes: the number and position information of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes on the grid map; after the positions and numbers of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes are custom arranged in the grid map, the transmitting probes and the receiving probes matching the grid positions on the fiber optic cap are turned on, thus forming a detection light signal transceiver channel; since the position information of the 3D head model matches that of the fiber optic cap model, after the positions and numbers of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes are configured in the grid map, the light signal transceiver channel can be displayed on the 3D head model accordingly, that is, the number and positions of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes can be displayed on the 3D head model, thereby realizing a visual display of the detection light signal transceiver channel and facilitating adjustment of the channel arrangement.

[0057] Specifically, in step d, the basis for determining whether the channel arrangement needs to be adjusted is whether the current channel arrangement meets the requirements for the detection or research of the functional imaging position of the brain area; if the current channel arrangement cannot detect a specific brain area, the channel arrangement needs to be adjusted, and at this time, the channel arrangement on the 3D head model can be observed while being adjusted.

[0058] Specifically, in step e, the present invention controls the opening and closing of the transmitting probe and the receiving probe at various positions on the optical fiber cap through the lower computer, thereby realizing rapid adjustment of the channel arrangement and improving the channel adjustment efficiency.

[0059] like Figure 3 As shown in the grid diagram, S1 (0, 2), S2 (2, 0), S3 (0, -2), and S4 (-2, 0) are the positions of four custom transmitting probes, and D1 (0, 0) is the position of one custom receiving probe. In the specific implementation process, the number and positions of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes can be adjusted according to actual needs. The channel arrangement can be adjusted by directly dragging the positions of S1, S2, S3, S4, and D1 in the grid diagram; or more transmitting probes (S5, S6, etc.) and receiving probes (D2, D3, etc.) can be added to adjust the channel arrangement.

[0060] Example 2

[0061] As shown in the figure, this embodiment proposes a brain function imaging system with a channel visualization custom arrangement, including a host computer, a slave computer and an optical fiber cap connected in sequence;

[0062] The host computer is used to establish a channel arrangement grid diagram, a 3D head model and an optical fiber cap model, and perform customized channel arrangement and visual display of channel arrangement;

[0063] The lower computer is used to control the opening of the channel at the corresponding position on the optical fiber cap according to the channel arrangement data;

[0064] A plurality of transmitting probes and a plurality of receiving probes are arranged at intervals inside the optical fiber cap, and the transmitting probes and the receiving probes are electrically connected to the lower computer respectively;

[0065] The lower computer controls the receiving probe and the transmitting probe at the corresponding position on the optical fiber cap to work according to the channel arrangement data released by the upper computer. The detection light signal emitted by the transmitting probe is received by the receiving probe after being reflected by the cerebral cortex. The receiving probe converts the received spectral signal into an electrical signal and transmits it to the lower computer. The lower computer uploads the electrical signal to the upper computer. The upper computer performs a series of digital filtering sampling and restoration processing on the transmitted electrical signal to obtain brain function imaging data of the detection object. In this embodiment, the upper computer is a computer and the lower computer is a controller.

[0066] This embodiment integrates the emission of detection light and the reception of spectral signals in the probe of the fiber optic cap, and adopts electrical signal transmission instead of optical signal transmission. There is no need to connect optical fiber to the probe, which reduces the burden on users and improves the user experience.

[0067] Specifically, the transmitting probe and the receiving probe are coupled optical transceiver probes with exactly the same structure;

[0068] The optical transceiver probe is used to transmit a detection light signal to the cerebral cortex or receive a spectral signal reflected back by the cerebral cortex;

[0069] The lower computer is used to control the switching of the working mode of the optical transceiver probe.

[0070] Furthermore, the optical transceiver probe comprises:

[0071] Two optical emitting units 3, used for emitting detection optical signals of multiple wavelengths;

[0072] A light receiving unit 2, used for receiving the spectral signal reflected back by the cerebral cortex;

[0073] A housing 1, used to encapsulate the light emitting unit 3 and the light receiving unit 2;

[0074] An inlet and outlet 5 is provided at one end of the housing 1 for the entry and exit of optical signals.

[0075] Furthermore, the two light emitting units 3 are respectively installed obliquely on the two opposite side walls of the housing 1, and two reflectors 4 are also provided on the two opposite side walls of the housing 1, and the reflection surfaces of the two reflectors 4 correspond to the light emitting directions of the two light emitting units 3 respectively, and the reflectors 4 are used to guide the detection light emitted by the light emitting units 3 out of the inlet and outlet 5 of the housing 1; the light receiving unit 2 is installed at one end of the housing 1 away from the inlet and outlet 5. This design can further reduce the volume of the probe, making the integration of the probe more compact and convenient for installation on the optical fiber cap.

[0076] Furthermore, the working modes of the optical transceiver probe include a transmitting mode and a receiving mode;

[0077] like Figure 4 As shown, when switched to the transmission mode, the light receiving unit 2 stops working, and the light transmitting unit 3 works normally;

[0078] like Figure 5 As shown, when switched to the receiving mode, the light emitting unit 3 stops working and the light receiving unit 2 works normally.

[0079] Specifically, the light emitting unit 3 uses a laser diode, which has the advantages of small size, light weight, low power consumption, simple driving circuit, convenient modulation, resistance to mechanical shock and vibration, etc.

[0080] In this embodiment, the wavelengths of the two laser diodes are 690 nm and 830 nm respectively.

[0081] Specifically, the light receiving unit 2 adopts an avalanche photodiode. Compared with a vacuum photomultiplier tube, an avalanche photodiode has the advantages of small size and no need for a high-voltage power supply, and is more suitable for practical applications. Compared with a general semiconductor photodiode, an avalanche photodiode has the advantages of high sensitivity and high speed, and can greatly improve the detection performance of the system, especially when the system bandwidth is relatively large.

[0082] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for brain functional imaging with a channel visualization custom arrangement, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: a. Establish a channel arrangement grid diagram and a 3D head model through software, and provide a fiber optic cap matching the 3D head model, wherein the grid point distribution in the grid diagram corresponds to the probe distribution on the fiber optic cap; b. Matching the grid map with the fiber cap, mapping the position information of each probe on the fiber cap to the corresponding grid points on the grid map, and matching the position information of each probe on the fiber cap with the position information of the corresponding part on the 3D head model; c. Customize channel arrangement on the grid map according to the requirements of brain function detection, and map the channel arrangement data onto the 3D head model for visual display, wherein the channel arrangement data includes: the number and position information of the transmitting probes and the receiving probes on the grid map; d. Determine whether the channel arrangement needs to be adjusted. If so, return to step c; if not, send the channel arrangement data to the lower computer; e. The lower computer controls the opening of the channels at the corresponding positions on the optical fiber cap according to the channel arrangement data to obtain imaging data that meets the requirements of brain function detection.

2. A brain function imaging system with a channel visualization and custom arrangement, based on the brain function imaging method with a channel visualization and custom arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes an upper computer, a lower computer and an optical fiber cap connected in sequence; The host computer is used to establish a channel arrangement grid diagram, a 3D head model, and perform customized channel arrangement and visual display of channel arrangement; The lower computer is used to control the opening of the channel at the corresponding position on the optical fiber cap according to the channel arrangement data; A plurality of transmitting probes and a plurality of receiving probes are arranged at intervals inside the optical fiber cap, and the transmitting probes and the receiving probes are electrically connected to the lower computer respectively.

3. A brain function imaging system with a channel visualization custom arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transmitting probe and the receiving probe are coupled optical transceiver probes with exactly the same structure; The optical transceiver probe is used to transmit a detection light signal to the cerebral cortex or receive a spectral signal reflected back by the cerebral cortex; The lower computer is used to control the switching of the working mode of the optical transceiver probe.

4. A brain function imaging system with a channel visualization custom arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that: The optical transceiver probe comprises: At least two light emitting units, used for emitting detection light signals of multiple wavelengths; A light receiving unit, used for receiving the spectral signal reflected back by the cerebral cortex; A housing, used to encapsulate the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit; An inlet and outlet are arranged at one end of the housing for the entry and exit of optical signals.

5. A brain function imaging system with a channel visualization custom arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that: The two light emitting units are respectively installed obliquely on the two opposite side walls of the shell, and two reflectors are also provided on the two opposite side walls of the shell. The reflective surfaces of the two reflectors respectively correspond to the light emitting directions of the two light emitting units, and the reflectors are used to guide the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit out of the inlet and outlet of the shell; the light receiving unit is installed at one end of the shell away from the inlet and outlet.

6. A brain function imaging system with a channel visualization and custom arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that: The working modes of the optical transceiver probe include a transmitting mode and a receiving mode; When switched to the transmission mode, the light receiving unit stops working and the light transmitting unit works normally; When switched to the receiving mode, the light emitting unit stops working and the light receiving unit works normally.

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