Elekta Neuromag TRIUX system unveiled at Organization of Human Brain Mapping's Annual Meeting

At the Organization of Human Brain Mapping's 16th Annual Meeting (Barcelona, Spain, June 6-10), Elekta unveiled its next generation magnetoencephalography (MEG) system, Elekta Neuromag® TRIUX. A platform that addresses key requirements critical for monitoring normal and abnormal brain activity, Elekta Neuromag TRIUX was designed to operate in virtually any clinical environment – an advance welcomed by the growing number of Elekta Neuromag clinical and research facilities worldwide.

More robust, patient-friendly and easier to use

Implementing a MEG program will be more practical for most clinical environments with the Elekta Neuromag TRIUX system's dynamic range, which has been increased three-fold, in addition to built-in active shielding, which protects its ultrasensitive sensor array from magnetic interference. These improvements make Elekta Neuromag TRIUX suitable for siting in even the busiest hospitals and research centers, and further demonstrate Elekta's commitment to helping centers adopt this innovative technology.

Elekta Neuromag TRIUX also provides several features designed to simplify day-to-day use of the system and enhance patient experience. These include a new connector panel – with easy to access connectors – and an all-new gantry that allows clinicians and researchers to conduct MEG measurements with the patient in a more comfortable upright position.

In addition, Elekta Neuromag TRIUX is undergoing a major revision to its system software to perfect acquisition workflows and routine quality assurance procedures.

"This system is now the definitive platform from which to launch MEG programs now and far into the future. In fact, many upcoming improvements and options presently in development may be ordered already today to ensure Elekta Neuromag TRIUX will be continually updated with releases as they become available," says Stephen Otto, Chairman of Elekta's Neuromag Business. "Current users also will be pleased to discover the time-proven triple sensor array remains unchanged to maintain full compatibility with the wealth of research conducted by the Neuromag user community."

What is MEG?

MEG is based on the detection of the very weak magnetic fields that originate from electrical activity within the brain. These signals are detected with a SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) array placed close to the scalp.

MEG functional mapping has proven clinically useful to evaluate epilepsy and to perform presurgical mapping of visual, auditory, somatosensory, motor cortex and language functional areas. MEG is used to localize both epileptic activity between seizures and important healthy tissues in the cortex that must be preserved during surgery. Accurate localization of cortical tissues also is useful when performing other types of surgery, such as tumor removal. In addition, MEG can be used to assist in the placement of intracranial electrodes.

There are numerous MEG research applications. These include the neural basis of developmental disorders, as well as psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Investigators also are using MEG to address basic questions about brain functions, such as memory, attention, emotion, language and social cognition, abilities that are frequently disrupted by brain disorders.

Elekta Neuromag TRIUX will be available as a turn-key system or as a hardware / software upgrade for certain Elekta Neuromag models.