It would be useful to identify the locus of brain activity using both EEG and fMRI simultaneously. However, this is not possible with current tools. EEG signals are difficult to detect in the presence of large amounts of background noise generated by the fMRI. Today EEG and fMRI tests are performed separately and yet still do not offer the benefit of fine grained resolution of brain activity.

INNOVATION:  Scientists at the UCLA Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center (http://www.brainmapping.org) have developed a method of digital filtering that eliminates interference from the fMRI signals. The intellectual property is a combination of electrode placement, A/D conversion and digital filtering that eliminates periodic interference using a combination of triggered digital sampling and adaptive filtering. The device also accounts for physiological functions such as human heart beats, which contaminate signals.

This new UCLA technology has applications in brain research, diagnostic, and treatment modalities. Further, the noise reduction method is expected to have significant applications in speech, video, and other digitized analog communications. An early application would be to substantially reduce the time and expense of determining the locality of epileptic seizures in the brain.

DEVELOPMENT TO DATE: :  Systems have been developed and the equipment is ready for production. An immediate application would be to supply research institutions with this equipment to assist their research in brain activity.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2000-490

PCT Publication Number: WO 02/13689 A2 US Publication Number: US-2004-0097802-A1