CN115120249B

CN115120249B - Bimodal brain function imaging device

Info

Publication number: CN115120249B
Application number: CN202210555571.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 薛耀; 肖雪珍; 张明; 陈家梁
Original assignee: Shenzhen Future Brain Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Future Brain Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-05-19
Filing date: 2022-05-19
Publication date: 2023-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2042-05-19
Also published as: CN115120249A

Abstract

The application provides a bimodal brain function imaging device, which belongs to the technical field of brain function detection, and comprises a signal acquisition terminal and a central processing terminal, wherein the signal acquisition terminal comprises an EEG signal acquisition device and a TD-fNIRS signal acquisition device; the signal acquisition terminal is used for acquiring brain information of the scalp of the human body through the EEG signal acquisition device and the TD-fNIRS signal acquisition device; and the central processing terminal is used for carrying out signal processing on the brain information to obtain imaging data, generating signals according to the imaging data, drawing the signals into images and sending the images to the user terminal for display. The application solves the problems that the detection depth of the brain area is shallow and only a relative value can be obtained in the prior art, and the absolute value can be obtained by utilizing the larger detection depth of the TD-fNIRS and combining with the EEG, thereby obtaining a complete and accurate signal image.

Description

Bimodal brain function imaging device

Technical Field

The application mainly relates to the technical field of brain function detection, in particular to a bimodal brain function imaging device.

Background

Brain function imaging is one of important means for research of brain cognition, brain diseases and the like, and plays a role in scientific research and clinical medicine. The fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy, fNIRS) functional near infrared spectroscopy technology has the advantages of no wound, real time, portability, economy and the like, and is widely applied to the scientific research and clinical fields as a non-invasive brain function imaging technology. However, current general-purpose devices generally use near-infrared light emitted from an fnrs emitter with constant intensity, and calculate the absorption amount of light by a receiver to infer the change in blood oxygen saturation, but cannot calculate absolute oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations. In addition, this technique has limitations such as low signal-to-noise ratio, poor reproducibility, lack of depth sensitivity (limited to 2-4cm depth), and poor brain specificity.

Disclosure of Invention

The application aims to solve the technical problem of providing a bimodal brain function imaging device aiming at the defects of the prior art.

The technical scheme for solving the technical problems is as follows: the bimodal brain function imaging device comprises a signal acquisition terminal and a central processing terminal, wherein the signal acquisition terminal comprises an EEG signal acquisition device and a TD-fNIRS signal acquisition device;

the signal acquisition terminal is used for acquiring brain information of the scalp of a human body through the EEG signal acquisition device and the TD-fNIRS signal acquisition device;

and the central processing terminal is used for carrying out signal processing on the brain information to obtain imaging data, generating signals according to the imaging data to draw images, and sending the images to the user terminal for display.

The beneficial effects of the application are as follows: the signal acquisition terminal can acquire two different brain information through the EEG signal acquisition device and the TD-fNIRS signal acquisition device, and the central processing terminal processes the brain information to obtain imaging data, generates signals and draws the signals into an image, so that the images are sent to the user terminal; the application solves the problems that the detection depth of the brain area is shallow and only a relative value can be obtained in the prior art, and the absolute value can be obtained by utilizing the larger detection depth of the TD-fNIRS and combining with the EEG, thereby obtaining a complete and accurate signal image.

Based on the technical scheme, the application can also be improved as follows:

further, the brain information includes EEG potential fluctuation signals;

the EEG signal acquisition device comprises a plurality of EEG channels, the EEG channels are used for acquiring EEG potential fluctuation signals of brain electrical signals of the scalp of a human body, and the EEG channels are used for carrying out signal acquisition through a dry level or a semi-dry level.

The beneficial effects of adopting the further scheme are as follows: the EEG signal acquisition device can monitor the electrophysiology of brain waves, has the advantage of high time resolution, and can record millisecond-level brain wave signals.

Further, the brain information also comprises a TD-fNIRS electric signal;

the TD-fNIRS signal acquisition device comprises a plurality of acquisition submodules, each acquisition submodule comprises a laser emitter, a driving circuit, an optical component and a plurality of detectors,

the laser transmitter is used for transmitting at least two laser light sources;

the driving circuit is used for modulating at least two laser light sources into picosecond pulse waves;

the optical component is used for coupling the picosecond pulse wave to the scalp of the human body and capturing the reflection of light on the scalp of the human body to obtain a photon signal;

the detector is used for converting the photon signals into TD-fNIRS electric signals, and obtaining photon quantity and photon flight time according to the TD-fNIRS electric signals.

The beneficial effects of adopting the further scheme are as follows: by means of the emitter, a very short laser light source, namely light pulse (usually in the picosecond level), passes through the cerebral cortex tissue, the electric signal of the TD-fNIRS and the brain wave signal of the EEG are combined in a double mode, and the detection depth is larger and the absolute value can be obtained by means of the TD-fNIRS technology.

Further, the optical component is further used for isolating photon signals among a plurality of detectors and keeping the signal receiving intensity of each detector constant.

Further, the laser transmitter comprises a first transmitting channel and a second transmitting channel, wherein the first transmitting channel and the second transmitting channel are used for transmitting a laser light source;

the optical component comprises a prism, a source light pipe and at least one constant component, wherein the prism is used for converging laser light sources emitted by the first emission channel and the second emission channel into a beam, the converged laser light sources are modulated into picosecond pulse waves through the driving circuit, and the source light pipe is used for coupling the picosecond pulse waves to the scalp of a human body;

the constant component comprises a biprism and a light measuring tube, wherein the light measuring tube is used for capturing reflection light on the scalp of a human body, and the biprism is used for constantly capturing the light intensity of the reflection light.

The beneficial effects of adopting the further scheme are as follows: the interference of hair can be lightened, the signal receiving among the detectors is stabilized, and the accuracy of signal acquisition is improved.

Further, the biprism includes a planar lens and an aspherical lens, which are parallel to each other and fixed as one body.

The beneficial effects of adopting the further scheme are as follows: the biprism can keep the light intensity constant, improves the accuracy of signal acquisition.

Further, the detector is a photon counting semiconductor detector.

The beneficial effects of adopting the further scheme are as follows: photon data can be obtained more accurately.

Further, the hub processing terminal includes an EEG signal receiver, a TD-fNIRS signal receiver, a microprocessor and a data transmission device,

the EEG signal receiver is used for receiving the brain information sent by the EEG signal acquisition device and obtaining EEG potential fluctuation signals from the brain information;

the microprocessor is used for converting the EEG potential fluctuation signal into a digital signal;

the TD-fNIRS signal receiver is used for receiving brain information sent by the TD-fNIRS signal acquisition device and obtaining a TD-fNIRS electric signal from the brain information;

the microprocessor is also used for generating a signal drawing image according to the digital signal and the TD-fNIRS electric signal, and calling the data transmission device to send the signal drawing image to the user terminal.

The beneficial effects of adopting the further scheme are as follows: the electric signal of the TD-fNIRS and the brain wave signal of the EEG are combined in a dual mode, the acquired space and time information of the brain function is more abundant, and the method plays an important role in exploring the space-time characteristics of the brain cognitive function and the brain disease diagnosis field.

Further, the central processing terminal also comprises a global clock module and an inertia measurement module,

the global clock module is used for synchronizing clocks of the signal acquisition terminal, the central processing terminal and the user terminal;

and the inertia measurement module is used for providing magnetic field, acceleration and angular velocity information for the signal acquisition terminal and assisting the signal acquisition terminal to perform signal measurement and control.

The beneficial effects of adopting the further scheme are as follows: the stability in the signal acquisition process can be enhanced, and the efficiency and the accuracy of signal acquisition and signal processing are improved.

Further, the data transmission device comprises a data transmission port and a wireless communication module.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a dual modality brain function imaging device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a bimodal signal path distribution provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a logic block diagram of an acquisition submodule of the TD-fNIRS signal acquisition device according to an embodiment of the application;

fig. 4 is a schematic layout diagram of an acquisition submodule of the TD-fnigs signal acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of data transmission of a dual-mode brain function imaging device according to an embodiment of the present application.

In the drawings, the names of the components represented by the respective marks are as follows:

1. a laser emitter; 2. a detector; 3. a circuit board; 4. a metal carrier.

Detailed Description

The principles and features of the present application are described below with reference to the drawings, the examples are illustrated for the purpose of illustrating the application and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the application.

As shown in fig. 1, a bimodal brain function imaging device comprises a signal acquisition terminal and a central processing terminal, wherein the signal acquisition terminal comprises an EEG signal acquisition device and a TD-fnigs signal acquisition device;

In the above embodiment, the signal acquisition terminal may acquire two different brain information through the EEG signal acquisition device and the TD-fnigs signal acquisition device, and the central processing terminal processes the brain information to obtain imaging data and generate a signal to draw an image, so as to send the imaging data to the user terminal; the application solves the problems that the detection depth of the brain area is shallower and only a relative value can be obtained in the prior art, the absolute value can be obtained at the same time when the detection depth is larger by utilizing the TD-fNIRS technology, and the complete and accurate signal image can be obtained by combining the EEG technology, so that the acquired space and time information of the brain function is more abundant.

In particular, the brain information comprises EEG potential fluctuation signals;

Specifically, the EEG channels of the EEG signal acquisition device are taken from a part or all of the left and right forehead, temporal, top, sensory/motor hub, occipital areas, typically 8 channels, as shown in FIG. 2. The channels of the EEG are in modularized design, and the number and the positions of the channels can be flexibly adjusted according to actual conditions. EEG also requires 1 reference electrode and 1 ground electrode, which can be replaced with each other, with signal acquisition channels, or with alternate positions. When EEG potential fluctuation signals are acquired, a dry electrode or a semi-dry electrode is used; the electrode may be an active electrode or a passive electrode.

In the above embodiment, the EEG signal acquisition device can monitor the electrophysiology of brain waves, has the advantage of high time resolution, and can record millisecond-level brain wave signals.

Specifically, the brain information further includes a TD-fNIRS electrical signal;

It should be understood that the plurality of collection sub-modules covers a portion or all of the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. The number of submodules for TD-fnigs is typically 12, as shown in the solid line part of fig. 2. The dashed line in fig. 2 is an alternative measurement location, which may be arbitrarily combined with the location of the brain region according to actual needs.

Specifically, the laser transmitter includes a driving circuit, a laser emitting diode (laser transmitter), and a power supply circuit, and can emit near infrared light having wavelengths including, but not limited to 690nm, 830nm, 850nm, etc. The laser transmitter emits at least two-wavelength picosecond pulsed waves (i.e., laser sources) having pulse widths of less than 150 picoseconds, the pulsed waves of different wavelengths having a wavelength division of at least 50 nm.

The detector consists of a time-digital conversion circuit, a photodiode and a bias circuit, and belongs to a photon counting semiconductor detector, wherein the photodiode can be a multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) or a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) or electronic elements with similar functions, which are formed by a high-density avalanche photodiode matrix, and the number and the positions of the detector can be flexibly adjusted and matched.

In particular, the detector is a photon counting semiconductor detector. Photon data can be obtained more accurately.

In the above embodiment, by passing a very short laser light source, i.e. a light pulse (typically in the picosecond order), through the cerebral cortex tissue by means of the transmitter, the electrical signal of TD-fNIRS is combined with the brain wave signal of EEG in a bimodal manner, with a greater detection depth of TD-fNIRS and simultaneously an absolute value.

The following describes the layout of the acquisition sub-module of a single TD-fNIRS, taking the example of setting up 6 detectors:

as shown in fig. 3, the TD-fNIRS acquisition submodule includes 1 laser emitter 1, 6 detectors 2 and corresponding optical components. Wherein, laser emitter 1 designs to standard circular, and detector 2 designs to standard rectangle, and every detector 2 is the same to laser emitter 1's centre-to-centre spacing. The optical assembly of fig. 3 includes 7 light pipes (including a light measuring pipe and a source light pipe) integrated into the laser emitter (1) and the detector (6), respectively, and the light pipes are optically isolated from each other. The light pipe in the laser transmitter 1 synthesizes near infrared light of different wavelengths into a light spot, and the light pipe in the detector 2 is used for maintaining the light intensity of signal reception and preventing hair from being blocked. The structure of the circuit board 3 is matched with the laser emitter 1 and the detector, the circuit board 3 is fixed on the metal carrier 4, and the metal carrier 4 plays roles of supporting and heat dissipation

It should be noted that fig. 3 only shows one implementation of the TD-fNIRS sub-module, and the external configuration may also be a configuration including, but not limited to, triangle, rectangle, square, octagon, etc., and the number of corresponding laser emitters is adaptively changed.

Specifically, the optical component is further used for isolating photon signals among a plurality of detectors and keeping the signal receiving intensity of each detector constant.

As shown in fig. 4, specifically, the laser transmitter includes a first emission channel and a second emission channel, where both the first emission channel and the second emission channel are used to emit a laser light source;

In the embodiment, the interference of hair can be reduced, the signal receiving among the detectors is stabilized, and the accuracy of signal acquisition is improved.

Specifically, the biprism includes a planar lens and an aspherical lens, which are parallel to each other and fixed as one body.

In the embodiment, the biprism can keep the light intensity constant, and the accuracy of signal acquisition is improved.

As shown in fig. 5, in particular, the hub processing terminal includes an EEG signal receiver, a TD-fNIRS signal receiver, a microprocessor and data transmission means,

the microprocessor is also used for generating a signal drawing image according to the digital signal and the TD-fNIRS electric signal (namely imaging data), and calling the data transmission device to send the signal drawing image to the user terminal for display.

It should be understood that the user terminal may be a smart tablet or a smart phone.

Specifically, the data transmission device comprises a data transmission port and a wireless communication module. The data transfer port may be a USB port. The wireless communication module can establish connection with the user terminal through a 4G/5G network or a WiFi network or Bluetooth.

The EEG signal receiver and the TD-fNIRS signal receiver can be connected with the signal acquisition terminal through a data transmission device.

The hub processing terminal may be considered a smart device box, wherein the EEG signal receiver, the TD-fNIRS signal receiver, the microprocessor and the data transmission means are housed within the device box.

In the above embodiment, the electric signal of the TD-fNIRS and the brain wave signal of the EEG are combined in a dual mode, so that the obtained space and time information of the brain function is more abundant, and the method plays an important role in exploring the space-time characteristics of the brain cognitive function and the brain disease diagnosis field.

Preferably, the hub processing terminal further comprises a global clock module and an inertial measurement module,

In the embodiment, the stability in the signal acquisition process can be enhanced, and the efficiency and accuracy of signal acquisition and signal processing are improved.

In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of elements is merely a logical functional division, and there may be additional divisions of actual implementation, e.g., multiple elements or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not performed.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed over a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment of the present application.

In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The integrated units may be implemented in hardware or in software functional units.

The present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and various equivalent modifications and substitutions can be easily made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope of the present application, and these modifications and substitutions are intended to be included in the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the application is subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. The bimodal brain function imaging device is characterized by comprising a signal acquisition terminal and a central processing terminal, wherein the signal acquisition terminal comprises an EEG signal acquisition device and a TD-fNIRS signal acquisition device;

the central processing terminal is used for carrying out signal processing on the brain information to obtain imaging data, generating signals according to the imaging data to draw images and sending the images to the user terminal for display;

the brain information includes EEG potential fluctuation signals; the EEG signal acquisition device comprises a plurality of EEG channels, wherein the EEG channels are used for acquiring EEG potential fluctuation signals of brain electrical signals of the scalp of a human body, and the EEG channels are used for acquiring signals through a dry level or a semi-dry level;

the brain information also includes a TD-fNIRS electrical signal;

the detector is used for converting the photon signals into TD-fNIRS electric signals and obtaining photon quantity and photon flight time according to the TD-fNIRS electric signals;

the laser transmitter comprises a first transmitting channel and a second transmitting channel, and the first transmitting channel and the second transmitting channel are used for transmitting a laser light source;

the constant component comprises a biprism and a light measuring tube, the light measuring tube is used for capturing reflection light on the scalp of a human body, and the biprism is used for constantly capturing the light intensity of the reflection light;

the acquisition submodule of the TD-fNIRS comprises 1 laser emitter, 6 detectors and corresponding optical components, and the center distances from each detector to the laser emitter are the same; the optical component comprises 7 light pipes, the light pipes comprise a light measuring pipe and a source light pipe, the light pipes are respectively integrated into the laser transmitter and each detector, the light pipes are mutually and optically isolated, the light pipes in the laser transmitter combine near infrared light with different wavelengths into light spots, and the light pipes in the detectors are used for keeping the light intensity of signal reception.

2. The dual modality brain function imaging device of claim 1, wherein said optical assembly is further configured to isolate photon signals between a plurality of said detectors and to maintain constant signal reception intensity for each of said detectors.

3. The bi-modal brain function imaging device of claim 1, wherein the biprism includes a planar lens and an aspherical lens, the planar lens and the aspherical lens being parallel to each other and integrally fixed.

4. The dual modality brain function imaging device of claim 1, wherein said detector is a photon counting semiconductor detector.

5. The dual modality brain function imaging device of claim 1, wherein said hub processing terminal includes an EEG signal receiver, a TD-fNIRS signal receiver, a microprocessor and a data transmission device,

and the microprocessor is also used for generating a signal drawing image according to the digital signal and the TD-fNIRS electric signal, calling the data transmission device to send the signal drawing image to the user terminal for display.

6. The dual modality brain function imaging device of claim 5, wherein said central processing terminal further includes a global clock module and an inertial measurement module,

7. The dual modality brain function imaging device of claim 5, wherein the data transmission device includes a data transmission port and a wireless communication module.