An Integrated Approach towards Functional Brain Imaging Using Simultaneous Focused Microwave Radiometry, Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Electroencephalography Measurements

Abstract

The scope of our ongoing research is the development of a multi-modal, multi-spectral methodology using non-ionizing radiation to study brain function. With this view, a novel microwave radiometry imaging and a near-infrared spectroscopy device have been integrated with an electroencephalogram (EEG) for concurrent measurements of blood flow, neural activity, temperature and conductivity changes in the brain. In this paper, a simulation study to identify whether the focusing properties of the microwave radiometry monitoring system are affected when used in conjunction with concurrent EEG and near-infrared spectroscopy measurements is presented. The simulations are performed using two head models and a phased array system as radiometric antenna receiver, which ensures scanning of the brain area of interest without the need of moving the subject or the monitoring configuration. The results of the electric field distributions inside the entire proposed imaging system illustrate the potential of integrating the three techniques into a single non-invasive monitoring intracranial system.