Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12429533-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various embodiments disclosed herein comprise systems and methods to conform magnetic field sensors to a target geometry. In some examples, an apparatus is configured to conform to a target geometry. The apparatus comprises a sensor mount and a sensor array. The sensor mount comprises a flexible state for a first environmental condition and a rigid state for a second environmental condition. The sensor mount transitions from the flexible state to the rigid state when the first environmental condition transitions to the second environmental condition. The sensor mount transitions from the rigid state to the flexible state when the second environmental condition transitions to the first environmental condition. The sensor array is coupled to the sensor mount.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a conformal magnetic imaging system that uses a sensor mount to conform to a target geometry. The sensor mount has a flexible state for a first environmental condition and a rigid state for a second environmental condition, and transitions between the states when the environmental condition transitions. The conformal behavior positions a sensor array in proximate, fixed spatial locations and orientations for source localization and magnetic imaging.
In the disclosed system, the rigid state is achieved by establishing a low-pressure environment in the sensor mount, which transitions the sensor mount from flexible to rigid to secure sensor positions and orientations. The mount then transitions back to the flexible state by establishing an ambient-pressure environment, enabling removal and reuse of the mount. The sensor mount is used with a sensor array coupled to the mount to measure magnetic field strength and generate magnetic imaging results.
The disclosed embodiments support magnetic sensing modalities including magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetocardiography (MCG), magnetoencephalography gradiometry (MGG), and magnetomyography (MMG). The sensor array includes sensors such as optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), and in some embodiments includes an OPM sensor array based on alkali atoms and/or helium atoms, as well as SQUID sensors. The sensor mount is configured to conform to a target geometry such as a head/scalp geometry and is implemented with mechanical and enclosed-region structures including outer/inner layers, an elastic band, an enclosed filling material, and a port/valve with a pump, controller, and cabling.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies two independent claims: an apparatus claim and a method claim. The independent claims share a common inventive concept of conforming a sensor mount to a target geometry using a reversible flexible/rigid transition driven by a change between first and second environmental conditions, together with positioning sensors for magnetic field measurement and imaging.
Reversible flexible/rigid conformal sensor mount for target geometry
A sensor mount comprises a flexible state for a first environmental condition and a rigid state for a second environmental condition, transitions from the flexible state to the rigid state when the first environmental condition transitions to the second environmental condition, and transitions from the rigid state to the flexible state when the second environmental condition transitions to the first environmental condition.
Sensor array coupled to the sensor mount
A sensor array is coupled to the sensor mount.
Operating a conformal sensor mount with environmental-condition driven rigidization and release
A method includes placing a sensor mount on a target when the sensor mount comprises a flexible state to position sensors in spatial locations proximate to the target; establishing a low-pressure environment in the sensor mount to transition the sensor mount from the flexible state to a rigid state to secure positions and orientations of the sensors; determining spatial locations of the sensors; measuring a field strength of a magnetic field generated by the target; establishing an ambient-pressure environment in the sensor mount to transition the sensor mount from the rigid state to the flexible state; and removing the sensor mount from the target.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is the reversible flexible-to-rigid transition of a conformal sensor mount based on switching between first and second environmental conditions, in combination with a coupled sensor array used to secure sensor positions and orientations for magnetic sensing and measurement.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?