Adjustable helmet for use with optically-pumped magnetometer

Abstract

Helmets are used with neuroimaging machines, such as optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). The helmets house sensors that are used with the OPMs that are positioned adjacent a participant's head in a way that the machine is able to acquire neural information. The placement and orientation of the sensors is important so that accurate information can be obtained. However, to account for heads of various sizes, especially with children, mechanisms can be provided that allow for movement of portions of the helmet. For example, the helmet can include sections that are movable in multiple directions relative to one another to change the overall size of the helmet to account for varying head sizes, without affecting the efficacy of the helmet and sensors.

1 . A helmet for use with a neural imaging machine, comprising:
 a helmet base comprising more than one section, each section movable in relation to another section;   at least one locking system connecting two of the sections of the helmet base, the at least one locking system comprising an adjustable mechanism to adjust spacing between the two sections and including an engageable locking member to hold spacing of the two sections; and   at least one sensor holder on the helmet base, the at least one sensor holder configured to hold a sensor of the neural imaging machine.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the locking system comprises a first part and a second part that interact with one another. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein one of the first and/or second parts includes preset locking positions to indicate preset spacing between two sections of the helmet. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member prevents distance and orientation movement of the connected sections. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the locking system comprises a single member extending from one section to another and including an adjustable portion to change the distance between the sections. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the engageable locking member of the at least one locking system comprises a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the engageable locking member of the at least one locking system comprises a non-mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor holder comprises at least one sensor holder on each of the sections of the helmet base. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable mechanism of the at least one locking system comprises at least two known positions for the engageable locking member. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable management system associated with the at least one sensor holder. 
     
     
         11 . A helmet system, comprising:
 a helmet comprising a helmet base comprising more than one section, each section movable in relation to another section;   at least one locking system connecting two of the sections of the helmet base, the at least one locking system comprising an adjustable mechanism to adjust spacing between the two sections;   at least one sensor holder on the helmet base; and   a sensor positioned in each of the at least one sensor holders.   
     
     
         12 . The helmet system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one locking system comprises an engageable locking member to hold the spacing of the two sections. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet system of  claim 12 , wherein the engageable locking member of the at least one locking system comprises a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet system of  claim 12 , wherein the engageable locking member of the at least one locking system comprises a non-mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet system of  claim 11 , wherein the locking system comprises a first part and a second part that interact with one another. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet system of  claim 15 , wherein one of the first and/or second parts includes preset locking positions to indicate preset spacing between two sections of the helmet. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the at least one sensor holders comprises a cable management system. 
     
     
         18 . A helmet for use with a neural imaging machine, comprising:
 a helmet base comprising more than one section, each section movable in relation to another section;   at least one locking system connecting two of the sections of the helmet base, the at least one locking system comprising an adjustable mechanism to adjust spacing between the two sections; and   at least one sensor holder on the helmet base, the at least one sensor holder configured to hold a sensor of the neural imaging machine;   wherein the at least one locking system comprises more than one preset and defined location in which to space the two sections.   
     
     
         19 . The helmet of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one locking system comprises a ratchet. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one locking system comprises a male member and a female member, wherein the male and female members comprise one or more apertures that can be aligned at the present and defined location and locked in place with a pin.