The long-term goal of this research program is to develop an optical magnetometer array for use in fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) and fetal magneto-encephalography (fMEG) systems. The proposed magnetometer, based on recent advances in magnetometer technology, represents the first viable alternative to SQUID magnetometers; thus, the potential impact of the research on the field of biomagnetism is enormous. Utilization of fMCG and fMEG has been limited by the high cost of acquisition and maintenance associated with SQUID technology. The atomic magnetometer can mitigate these disadvantages while maintaining or even surpassing the magnetic field sensitivity of SQUID magnetometers. A novel, four-channel atomic biomagnetometer array was recently demonstrated for adult and fetal MCG studies. The next steps are to refine it for use in conventional magnetically shielded rooms and to extend its capabilities to inexpensive shielding geometries.
The specific aims of this project are: 1. to demonstrate a 9-channel atomic magnetometer array for direct comparison to commercial SQUIDs for detection of signals from 20 week gestation period fetuses. 2. To extend the bandwidth and dynamic range of the atomic magnetometer for use in inexpensive shielding environments. 3. To make pre-clinical studies of at-risk fetuses with the magnetometer array. To achieve these aims, the researchers will investigate new modes of operation of the magnetometer that improve its bandwidth and dynamic range. New data processing methodologies will be considered, and the developments will be tested with human subjects.
Over the last decade, fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) has emerged as a valuable, new technology for fetal monitoring. It is the most precise method for assessment of fetal heart rhythms. As conventionally configured, with SQUID detectors and magnetically shielded rooms, the method suffers from high costs. This project aims to develop new magnetometry methods that could dramatically reduce those costs by using atomic magnetometers and low-cost magnetic shields.
| Cuneo, Bettina F; Strasburger, Janette F (2015) We only find what we look for: fetal heart rate and the diagnosis of long-QT syndrome. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 8:760-2 |
| Korver, A; Wyllie, R; Lancor, B et al. (2013) Suppression of spin-exchange relaxation using pulsed parametric resonance. Phys Rev Lett 111:043002 |
| Sulai, I A; Wyllie, R; Kauer, M et al. (2013) Diffusive suppression of AC-Stark shifts in atomic magnetometers. Opt Lett 38:974-6 |
| Wyllie, R; Kauer, M; Smetana, G S et al. (2012) Magnetocardiography with a modular spin-exchange relaxation-free atomic magnetometer array. Phys Med Biol 57:2619-32 |
| Wyllie, Robert; Kauer, Matthew; Wakai, Ronald T et al. (2012) Optical magnetometer array for fetal magnetocardiography. Opt Lett 37:2247-9 |
