Shielded Helmet for Portable Brain Electromagnetic Field Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetoencephalography technologies require large, costly, and space-intensive shielded rooms to measure brain electromagnetic fields, limiting portability and accessibility due to the need for superconducting materials and extensive shielding.
Innovation Solution
A compact, affordable helmet with layers of nickel-iron ferromagnetic alloy, copper mesh, and an air gap provides localized shielding, allowing for the containment and funneling of electromagnetic fields to sensors, reducing the need for large-scale shielding and enabling portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large scale shielded rooms are used to measure electromagnetic fields, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large-scale shielded room into a portable helmet-shaped shield that can be worn on a subject's head. This segmentation allows the shielding function to be distributed across multiple smaller components rather than requiring one large complex structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision for brain electromagnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies shielding materials specifically where needed - on the subject's head - rather than creating a complete shielded room environment. The helmet-shaped shield provides localized electromagnetic shielding precisely at the measurement site, reducing the complexity and space requirements of the overall system while maintaining sufficient shielding effectiveness for the specific measurement task.
2Measurement precision
If large scale shielded rooms are used to measure electromagnetic fields, then measurement precision is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shielding function from the entire measurement system, creating a portable helmet that can be worn on a subject's head. This allows the shielding to be provided in a compact form factor that requires minimal space, eliminating the need for large fixed shielded rooms while maintaining sufficient shielding effectiveness for brain electromagnetic field measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides electromagnetic shielding locally at the subject's head rather than creating a comprehensive shielded room environment. This localized approach reduces the space requirements dramatically, allowing measurements to be taken in ordinary clinical or research settings without requiring dedicated large-scale shielded facilities.
3Measurement precision
If superconducting materials and extensive shielding are used, then measurement precision is improved, but financial investment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shielding function into a portable helmet that can be manufactured using standard materials and processes rather than requiring expensive superconducting materials and complex large-scale shielded room construction. This segmentation enables the use of more cost-effective materials while maintaining sufficient shielding effectiveness for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies shielding materials locally on the subject's head using a helmet-shaped design that can be manufactured from standard ferromagnetic materials rather than requiring expensive superconducting materials throughout the entire measurement system. This localized approach significantly reduces the financial investment required while maintaining adequate shielding performance.
4Measurement precision
If fixed shielded rooms are required for measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shielding system into a portable, wearable helmet that can be moved freely unlike fixed shielded rooms. This segmentation enables the shield to be transported and deployed at different locations, providing both measurement precision through adequate shielding and portability through its compact, wearable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides shielding locally on the subject's head in a portable helmet format rather than requiring the subject to be moved into a fixed shielded room. This approach maintains measurement precision through adequate local shielding while enabling full portability, allowing the system to be used in various clinical and research settings without requiring dedicated fixed facilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The helmet design significantly reduces space and material costs, enhances portability, and allows for effective measurement of brain electromagnetic fields, facilitating research and clinical applications without the need for fixed shielded rooms.
Implementation Method 1
a helmet comprising layers of a nickel-iron ferromagnetic alloy
Implementation Method 2
a copper mesh
Implementation Method 3
an air gap
Data Source
AI summary
A device for shielding electromagnetic fields is provided. The device embodies a helmet having layers of a nickel-iron ferromagnetic alloy, a copper mesh, and an air gap; at least one channel extending radially from the helmet; at least one plug configured to removably fit into respective channels wherein each plug is operative shielding electromagnetic fields by way of the channel; and at least one sensor incorporated into the helmet.