KR102498776B1 - Device and method for visualizing brain function activity - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brain functional activity visualization apparatus and a brain functional activity visualization method using the same, and specifically, to a device for visualizing brain functional activity using hemodynamic brain signals obtained from a plurality of FNIRS channels connected to the brain of a subject. As , the contrast-to-noise ratio of the hemodynamic brain signal in the resting state obtained from the brain in the resting state without external stimulation to the hemodynamic brain signal in the stimulated state obtained from the brain in the stimulated state with external stimulation applied a signal processing unit that calculates a (contrast to noise ratio, CNR) value; a calculation unit that calculates the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel from the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) value using a statistical probability density function; and an output unit representing the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel as the length of a bar on the surface of the 3D standard head model.

Description

Device and method for visualizing brain function activity {Device and method for visualizing brain function activity}

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for visualizing brain functional activity.

Patients with organic brain damage of the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures show various neurological symptoms such as motor and sensory disorders, cognitive and language disorders. Due to such neurological damage, it is difficult to perform functional activities and independent activities of daily living, and rehabilitation experts including physical therapists are suggesting various therapeutic approaches to recover motor function disorders. In response, from the 1960s, neurophysiological therapy techniques based on neurophysiological theories, such as Bobath treatment and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, began to emerge. ), motor control and learning theories, such as systematic theory and modular theory, have progressed together with the development of neurophysiology and neuroscience.

Neuroscience has made a breakthrough with the development and commercialization of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a non-invasive method of measuring brain function that expresses nerve activation sites in images, and has been able to measure various brain functions in living humans. Using experimental techniques, various brain functions related to brain function and nerve recovery and regeneration were studied. With this development of neuroscience, scientific therapeutic verification of the treatment techniques applied in the existing neurophysical therapy has been made, and it has become possible to study the neurophysiological recovery mechanism according to the patient's functional recovery.

On the other hand, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), detects oxidized hemoglobin (Oxy Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Deoxy Hb) according to changes in nerve activity with high temporal resolution. With the development of magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), it has recently been attracting attention as a non-invasive method for measuring brain function (Journal of Special Education & Rehabilitation Science Vol. 51, No. 3, pp. 151~166, 2012).

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a method for non-invasively measuring cerebral blood flow changes using near-infrared rays with a wavelength of 600 nm to 1000 nm. . More specifically, by irradiating a living body with near-infrared light and detecting and processing hemodynamic brain signals penetrating tissues, the concentrations of oxyHb and deoxyHb can be measured. Active regions of the brain consume oxygen transported by oxidized hemoglobin (Oxy Hb) in the blood, and oxidized hemoglobin (Oxy Hb) is converted into deoxygenated hemoglobin (Deoxy Hb). These two hemoglobins have optical properties in the visible and near-infrared light regions, and their concentrations measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can be used as a measure of brain activity.

As a conventional monitoring program for visualizing brain function activity using fNIRS, a NIRS Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Statistic Parametric Mapping (NIRS SPM) toolbox exists.

NIRS SPM is a brain active region analysis toolbox using MATLAB-based statistical analysis of near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signals (see FIG. 1). Although this NIRS SPM has high statistical reliability, many preparation processes are required to run the program, such as anatomical information of the subject (patient), 3D coordinate information for the fNIRS channel, and block design of the experiment. Due to this requirement, real-time brain activity analysis is impossible, and it requires considerable effort for non-experts to use.

NIRStar developed by NIRx is another monitoring program that visualizes brain function activity using brain function near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) (see FIG. 2).

NIRStar uses signals obtained from fNIRS equipment to express signals in real time and roughly express brain activity. Since is performed through contrast between blocks based on block design (eg, rest period, work period), there is a disadvantage in that objective brain function activity cannot be confirmed in real time.

Accordingly, the present inventors have developed a brain function activation visualization device and method capable of visualizing objective brain function activity in real time, and displaying the brain function activity as the length of a bar at the channel position on the surface of a 3D standard head model and using a predetermined statistical value. The present invention was completed by developing a brain function activity visualization device and method capable of intuitively determining brain activity by displaying whether or not it is within a range value range with the color of a bar bar.

An object of one aspect is to provide a brain functional activity visualization device and a brain functional activity visualization method using the same.

In order to achieve the above purpose,

On one side,

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity using hemodynamic brain signals obtained from a plurality of FNIRS channels connected to the brain of a subject,

a signal processing unit that calculates a brain activity calculation index from the hemodynamic brain signal in a stimulated state obtained from the brain in a stimulated state based on the hemodynamic brain signal in a resting state obtained from the brain in a resting state;

a calculation unit for calculating brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel from the brain activity calculation index using a statistical probability density function; and

A brain functional activity visualization device including an output unit representing the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel as the length of a bar on the surface of the 3D standard head model is provided.

The brain activity calculation index may be any one of a contrast to noise ratio (CNR), a t-value, and a brain network, and more preferably may be a contrast to noise ratio (CNR).

The brain activity calculation index is updated at predetermined intervals by an overlapping method using hemodynamic brain signals within a predetermined statistical analysis time window among hemodynamic brain signals.

The output unit may output a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI) on a computer screen.

The graphical user interface (GUI)

and a 3D standard head model representation unit displaying the location of at least one FNIRS channel among a plurality of FNIRS channels.

The graphical user interface (GUI)

and a brain activity visualization representation unit representing brain functional activity as the length of a bar at the location of at least one FNIRS channel among a plurality of FNIRS channels of the 3D standard head model representation unit.

The brain activity visualization expression unit

Whether or not the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel is within a preset statistical range can be indicated by the color of the bar bar, and more specifically, the bar bar whose brain functional activity is lower than the preset statistical range is colored blue. , Bars representing brain functional activity higher than the above statistical range may be displayed in red color.

The graphical user interface (GUI),

It may include; a brain activity color map scale adjusting unit for adjusting the scale of the color displayed on the bar.

The graphical user interface (GUI)

A brain signal expression unit representing the hemodynamic brain signal may be further included.

The brain signal expression unit

It may represent one or more of the hemodynamic brain signals of a single FNIRS channel and of all FNIRS channels.

The brain functional activity visualization device

It may further include a data storage unit for storing the hemodynamic brain signal, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) value, and brain function activity.

In addition, the brain function activity visualization device

It may further include a data analyzer that analyzes brain activity using at least one of the stored hemodynamic brain signal, brain activity calculation index, and brain function activity.

On the other side,

an FNIRS device connected to the subject's brain and including a plurality of FNIRS channels for receiving hemodynamic brain signals for the brain; and

There is provided a device for measuring brain functional activity, including the; the brain functional activity visualization device.

On another aspect,

A method of visualizing brain functional activity using hemodynamic brain signals obtained from a plurality of FNIRS channels connected to the brain of a subject,

Calculating a brain activity calculation index from the hemodynamic brain signal in a stimulated state based on the hemodynamic brain signal in a resting state obtained from the brain in a resting state by a signal processing unit;

Calculating brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel from the brain activity calculation index using a statistical probability density function by a calculation unit; and

A brain functional activity visualization method comprising the step of displaying the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel as the length of a bar on the surface of a 3D standard head model by an output unit is provided.

An apparatus and method for visualizing brain functional activity according to an embodiment can visualize brain activity in real time using a functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signal, and displays the brain functional activity as a bar on the surface of a 3D standard head model. Brain activity can be visualized with the length and color of the bar, so you can intuitively check brain function activity.

In addition, an apparatus and method for visualizing brain function activity according to an embodiment has an advantage of not requiring anatomical information of a subject or 3D coordinate information for an fNIRS channel by applying a 3D standard head model.

In addition, since the apparatus and method for visualizing brain function activity according to an embodiment outputs to a MATLAB-based GUI, it has high user convenience and can be operated with a minimum of button clicks, so that even non-experts can easily use it.

Therefore, it can be used to monitor brain function and visualize brain activity in real time during movement and language/cognitive function tasks along with various brain stimulation, and can be applied to complex brain stimulation devices as well as brain stimulation devices used by clinical experts. It can also be applied to feedback devices that automatically control Furthermore, it can be used in equipment for stimulating cranial nerves in real time to improve motor and language/cognitive functions of the general public.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

1 shows a configuration diagram of a conventional brain function activity monitoring device, NIRS SPM.
2 shows a configuration diagram of NIRStar, which is a conventional brain function activity monitoring device.
3 shows a 3D standard head model before outputting an fNIRS channel of a brain activity visualization expression unit of a brain functional activity visualization apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4 shows an image in which the fNIRS channel is added to the 3D standard head model of FIG. 3 .
5 illustrates a GUI in which brain functional activity is visualized using a brain functional activity visualization apparatus according to an embodiment.

Since the present invention can have various changes and various embodiments, specific embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. Like reference numerals have been used for like elements throughout the description of each figure.

The first and second terms may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term and/or includes a combination of a plurality of related items or any one of a plurality of related items.

It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle. something to do. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no other element exists in the middle.

Terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, the terms "include" or "have" are intended to designate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in the present application, they should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning. don't

On one side,

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity using hemodynamic brain signals obtained from a plurality of FNIRS channels connected to the brain of a subject,

a signal processing unit that calculates a brain activity calculation index from the hemodynamic brain signal in a stimulated state obtained from the brain in a stimulated state based on the hemodynamic brain signal in a resting state obtained from the brain in a resting state;

a calculation unit for calculating brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel from the brain activity calculation index using a statistical probability density function; and

A brain functional activity visualization device including an output unit representing the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel as the length of a bar on the surface of the 3D standard head model is provided.

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to an aspect is an apparatus for visualizing functional activity of a subject's brain using hemodynamic brain signals obtained from a plurality of FNIRS channels connected to the brain of the subject, and the brain activity is displayed in a 3D standard head model. It is a visualization device that enables real-time confirmation of brain functional activity by displaying the length of a bar at the location of the FNIRS channel on the surface.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for visualizing brain function activity according to an aspect will be described in detail for each component with reference to the drawings.

Brain function activity visualization apparatus according to one aspect is a brain activity calculation index from a hemodynamic brain signal in a stimulated state obtained from a brain in a stimulated state based on a hemodynamic brain signal in a resting state obtained from a brain in a resting state It includes; a signal processing unit that calculates.

At this time, the "resting state" means a state in which external brain stimulation or a subject does not perform brain functional activities that can cause brain activity by itself, and the "stimulation state" means brain stimulation or brain functional activity. means state.

In general, hemodynamic brain signals in a resting state contain a lot of noise when checking activity for brain stimulation, so if the hemodynamic brain signal obtained from the brain is used without preprocessing, it may be inaccurate to obtain activity for brain stimulation. There is a problem in that it is difficult to distinguish microscopic activation values caused by stimuli. Therefore, it is more preferable to use the brain activity calculation index calculated from the hemodynamic brain signal in the stimulation state with the hemodynamic brain signal in the resting state as a baseline state.

The signal processing unit calculates a brain activity calculation index from the hemodynamic brain signal.

The brain activity calculation index may be any one of a contrast to noise ratio (CNR), a t-value, and a brain network, and more preferably may be a contrast to noise ratio (CNR) value.

Other methods other than contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) can calculate brain activity after measuring all brain signals. Brain activity is calculated in real time by comparing the level of brain signals. Therefore, there is an advantage in that real-time brain activity can be measured with a time delay of several seconds.

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to an aspect may measure brain functional activity for brain stimulation with higher resolution by using a contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) as a brain activity calculation index, and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) value By updating at a predetermined cycle, it is possible to check brain function activity in real time.

To this end, the signal processing unit obtains, for example, a hemodynamic brain signal from the brain in a resting state for a certain period of time, and then applies a stimulus to the brain to obtain a hemodynamic brain signal. Calculated through Equation 1 below By doing so, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) can be calculated.

<Equation 1>

: 자극 상태에서 실시간으로 취득하는 혈류역학적 뇌 신호 데이터의 기설정된 주기동안의 평균

: Average during a preset period of hemodynamic brain signal data acquired in real time under stimulation

: 사전 취득한 휴식 상태의 혈류역학적 뇌 신호 데이터의 평균

: Average of pre-acquired resting hemodynamic brain signal data

: 자극 상태에서 실시간으로 취득하는 혈류역학적 뇌 신호 데이터의 기설정된 주기동안의 분산

: Dispersion during a preset period of hemodynamic brain signal data acquired in real time under stimulation

: 사전 취득한 휴식 상태의 혈류역학적 뇌 신호 데이터의 분산

: Variance of pre-acquired resting hemodynamic brain signal data

The brain activity calculation index is an overlapping method of 70% to 90%, more preferably 80%, using hemodynamic brain signals within a predetermined statistical analysis time window among hemodynamic brain signals. It is updated every predetermined cycle.

Here, the statistical analysis time window can be set variably, but if the time of the statistical analysis time window is set long, more brain signal data can be used, so statistically more accurate values can be obtained. Because time delay occurs and update time takes a long time, a difference from the current brain activity may occur. On the other hand, if the statistical analysis time window is set too short, it may be difficult to secure reliability because brain activity must be calculated with too little brain signal data.

Accordingly, the reliability of brain activity can be maintained and the update time can be maintained 5 times faster by using overlapping, in which past values of 70% to 90%, more preferably 80%, are repeatedly used.

The predetermined period is a period of updating the brain activity calculation index for real-time analysis, and may be 0.5 seconds to 1 minute, more preferably 0.5 seconds to 10 seconds, but is not limited thereto, and is a value suitable for real-time analysis of brain activity activity. It can be changed according to the user's needs.

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to an aspect includes a calculator configured to calculate brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel from the brain activity calculation index using a statistical probability density function.

Here, "brain functional activity" means an objective numerical value of the degree of brain functional activity, and can be calculated by the following method.

The brain activity index calculated using the probability density function makes it easy to determine which position the value corresponds to probabilistically among the entire sample, and the state with high brain activity index, normal state, and low state can be determined only with p-value. can be easily distinguished. If the p-value is greater than or equal to the user's predetermined p-value, it can be expressed as a high brain activity state, a p-value less than a low state, and a normal state in between.

In addition, the calculation unit may calculate whether the brain functional activity is within a predetermined statistical range, and through this, the brain functional activity is indicated by the color of the bar at the position of each FNIRS channel on the surface of the 3D standard head model. Whether or not it is within a preset statistical range can be displayed.

The apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to one aspect may further include a data storage unit configured to store the hemodynamic brain signal, the brain activity calculation index, and the brain functional activity.

The apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to one aspect may store all brain activity calculation indexes updated during real-time monitoring, through which data on brain activity in the past may be checked, and changes in brain activity over time may be analyzed. .

The apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to one aspect may further include a data analyzer configured to analyze brain activity using at least one of the stored hemodynamic brain signal, brain activity calculation index, and brain functional activity.

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to one aspect can acquire NIRS signals, brain activity calculation indicators, and brain functional activity in real time, and store past NIRS signals, brain activity calculation indicators, and brain function activity before and after rehabilitation exercise. Alternatively, the brain functional activity acquired before and after stimulation can be compared and analyzed.

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to an aspect includes an output unit displaying the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel as the length of a bar on the surface of a 3D standard head model.

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to one aspect has the advantage of quickly checking brain functional activity in real time by displaying the brain functional activity, which is an objective measure of brain functional activity, as the length of a bar on the surface of a 3D standard head model.

The output unit may output a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI) on a computer screen.

Brain function activity visualization device according to one aspect can have high user convenience by outputting brain function activity on a computer screen as a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI), and can be operated with a minimum of button clicks, so that non-experts can easily use it There are advantages to being

The graphical user interface (GUI)

a 3D standard head model display unit displaying a location of at least one FNIRS channel among a plurality of FNIRS channels; and

and a brain activity visualization representation unit representing brain functional activity as the length of a bar at the location of at least one FNIRS channel among a plurality of FNIRS channels of the 3D standard head model representation unit.

FIG. 3 shows a 3D standard head model representation unit used in a graphical user interface (GUI) according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows an image in which an fNIRS channel is added to the 3D standard head model representation unit of FIG. 3 .

An apparatus for visualizing brain function activity according to an aspect can turn on/off FNIRS channels according to a user's request for a plurality of FNIRS channels displayed on the 3D standard head model representation unit through a graphical user interface (GUI). , for example, one FNIRS channel may be activated, or all FNIRS channels may be activated.

The brain activity visualization representation unit may indicate whether the brain function activity of each FNIRS channel is within a predetermined statistical range by the color of the bar bar.

More specifically, a bar bar indicating a brain functional activity lower than a predetermined statistical range may be displayed in a blue color, and a bar bar indicating a brain functional activity higher than the statistical range may be displayed in a red color.

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to an aspect may display all or part of a plurality of FNIRS channels on a 3D standard head model representation unit, and calculates brain functional activity at a location of the FNIRS channel from a brain signal obtained from the displayed FNIRS channel. Since it can be visualized as the length and color of a bar on the surface of a standard head model, it has the advantage of intuitively and quickly checking the activity of brain functions.

The graphical user interface (GUI) may further include a brain activation color map scale adjusting unit that adjusts a scale of colors displayed on the bar.

The apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity according to one aspect displays whether the brain functional activity is within a predetermined statistical range by the color of the bar bar, and expresses both weak and strong brain activities through the brain activity color map scale control unit. It is possible to adjust the scale of the color displayed on the bar so that various stimuli and functional tasks can be performed.

The graphic user interface (GUI) may further include a brain signal expression unit representing the hemodynamic brain signal.

The brain signal expression unit may represent one or more of hemodynamic brain signals of a single FNIRS channel and all FNIRS channels.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the graphical user interface (GUI) shows the entire hemodynamic brain signal representation unit on the upper right of the computer screen, and a single hemodynamic brain signal representation unit and the entire hemodynamic brain signal representation unit on the lower right side of the computer screen. It can represent one or more of the hemodynamic brain signals of a single FNIRS channel and all FNIRS channels.

The graphic user interface (GUI) may output data stored in the data storage unit.

For example, the graphical user interface (GUI) may further include a brain activity expression time control unit, and through the brain activity expression time control unit, a time for outputting not only real-time but also brain activity at a past time point may be adjusted, Through this, at least one of a past hemodynamic brain signal stored in the data storage unit, a brain activity calculation index, and brain functional activity may be output.

on the other side

an FNIRS device connected to the subject's brain and including a plurality of FNIRS channels for receiving hemodynamic brain signals for the brain; and

There is provided a device for measuring brain functional activity, including the; the brain functional activity visualization device.

The device for measuring brain functional activity is characterized in that it includes an FNIRS device and the above-described brain functional activity visualization device.

The brain function activity measurement device may further include a brain stimulation device.

On another aspect

A method of visualizing brain functional activity using hemodynamic brain signals obtained from a plurality of FNIRS channels connected to the brain of a subject,

Calculating a brain activity calculation index of a hemodynamic brain signal in a stimulated state compared to a hemodynamic brain signal in a resting state obtained from a brain in a resting state by a signal processing unit;

Calculating brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel from the brain activity calculation index using a statistical probability density function by a calculation unit; and

There is provided a brain function activity visualization method including; outputting the calculated brain function activity by an output unit to a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI) on a computer screen.

The brain function activity visualization method may include some or all of the components of the brain function activity visualization device described above.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through examples and experimental examples.

However, the following examples and experimental examples are only to illustrate the present invention, and the contents of the present invention are not limited by the following examples.

<Example 1>

Step 1: After wearing a cap containing the electrodes of the brain stimulation device and the FNIRS channel of the fNIRS device on the subject's head, hemodynamic brain for the brain of the subject in a resting state to which no special stimulation was applied from the FNIRS device A signal was acquired and stored in a data storage unit.

Step 2: A hemodynamic brain signal was obtained from the brain of a subject in a state in which stimulation was applied, and a contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) value for the stimulation condition was calculated using Equation 1 below, based on the resting condition.

At this time, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) value was updated every 5 seconds through 80% overlapping using measurement data within a statistical analysis time window of 20 seconds.

<Equation 1>

: 자극 상태에서 실시간으로 취득하는 혈류역학적 뇌 신호 데이터의 기설정된 주기동안의 평균

: Average during a preset period of hemodynamic brain signal data acquired in real time under stimulation

: 사전 취득한 휴식 상태의 혈류역학적 뇌 신호 데이터의 평균

: Average of pre-acquired resting hemodynamic brain signal data

: 자극 상태에서 실시간으로 취득하는 혈류역학적 뇌 신호 데이터의 기설정된 주기동안의 분산

: Dispersion during a preset period of hemodynamic brain signal data acquired in real time under stimulation

: 사전 취득한 휴식 상태의 혈류역학적 뇌 신호 데이터의 분산

: Variance of pre-acquired resting hemodynamic brain signal data

(At this time, the preset cycle is 5 seconds)

Step 3: The brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel was calculated from the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) value using a statistical probability density function.

Step 4: The calculated brain functional activity was output to a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI) on a computer screen.

5 is a GUI output by Example 1, and Table 1 below is a user environment and function description table displayed on the GUI of FIG. 5 .

area title function (a) Brain activity calculation
indicator selection part CNR, t-value, Brain network (b) head model expression A function that can turn on/off the expression of channel position and 10-20 coordinates while recalling the saved channel set (c) real-time analysis
control and command Real-time streaming data acquisition, real-time brain active area and brain signal expression start and end buttons, and statistical analysis time window size and p-value settings (d) Saved Brain Signal Loading Unit Recalling stored brain signals to perform brain activity and signal analysis functions (e) Stored brain activity calculation indicator loading unit Function to load and re-analyze a file in which stored brain activity information is stored (f) All-channel brain signal expression unit A window that expresses the brain signals of all channels (g) Single channel brain signal expression unit A window that selects a single channel and expresses the brain signal (h) brain activity color map
scale control Ability to adjust the scale of the color map to express both weak and strong brain activity (i) brain activity
visualization expression part Brain activity is expressed as a color map and at the same time expressed in three colors through bar lengths and statistical p-values for objective visualization (j) expression of brain activity
viewpoint control unit Viewpoint control function to express brain activity in real time as well as in the past

Referring to FIG. 5 and Table 1, the GUI according to an embodiment includes (a) a brain activity calculation index selection unit and (b) a head model expression unit, (c) a real-time analysis control and command unit, (d) a stored channel Load unit, (e) stored brain activity calculation index load unit, (f) whole hemodynamic brain signal representation unit, (g) single hemodynamic brain signal representation unit, (h) brain activity color map scale control unit, (i) It may include a brain activity visualization expression unit and (j) a brain activity expression time point control unit.

At the top of the GUI of FIG. 5, (a) a brain activity calculation index selection unit and (b) a head model expression unit, (c) a real-time analysis control and command unit, (d) a stored channel loading unit, and (e) a stored brain activity calculation unit. The indicator loading part can be displayed.

The user can (a) select any one brain activity calculation index from CNR, t-value, and Brain network through the brain activity calculation index selection unit, and (b) load the saved channel set through the head model expression unit and add the FNIRS channel , can be removed and the representation of 10-20 coordinates can be turned on/off.

In addition, the user can (c) the real-time analysis control and command unit through the start and end buttons to express the brain activity displayed on the third-order standard head model and (f) the hemodynamic brain signal displayed on the whole hemodynamic brain signal representation unit. Expression can be started and ended, a statistical analysis time window size for acquiring and analyzing signal data can be set, and a p-value can be set as a criterion for judging whether the current brain activity index is high or low.

In addition, the user can perform brain activity and brain signal analysis by reloading the stored hemodynamic brain signal through (d) the stored channel loading unit, and (e) store the brain activity information stored through the stored brain activity calculation indicator loading unit. You can load a file and analyze it again.

On the right side of the GUI of FIG. 5 are signal representation units, (f) displaying the hemodynamic brain signal of all channels, and (g) displaying the hemodynamic brain signal of the selected single channel. It includes a brain signal representation part.

In addition, the left side of the GUI of FIG. 5 includes (i) a brain activity visualization representation unit that expresses brain activity as a color map and at the same time displays objective numerical brain activity as the length and color of a bar on the head model.

At this time, among the colors of the bar, red means a high brain activity, green means a normal state, and blue means a low state in terms of the probability density function, and a warm color indicates a high value and a cool color indicates a low value.

In addition, a (j) brain activity expression time control unit is included at the bottom of the (i) brain activity visualization expression unit, through which time for expressing brain activity in real time as well as in the past can be adjusted.

In addition, (h) a brain activity color map scale control unit is displayed in the center of the GUI of FIG. 5, and through this, the color map scale can be adjusted so that both weak and strong brain activities can be expressed.

Claims (16)

An apparatus for visualizing brain functional activity using hemodynamic brain signals obtained from a plurality of FNIRS channels connected to the brain of a subject,
a signal processing unit that calculates a brain activity calculation index from the hemodynamic brain signal in a stimulated state obtained from the brain in a stimulated state based on the hemodynamic brain signal in a resting state obtained from the brain in a resting state;
a calculation unit for calculating brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel from the brain activity calculation index using a statistical probability density function; and
An output unit displaying the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel as the length and color of a bar on the surface of the 3D standard head model;
The brain activity calculation index is any one of contrast to noise ratio (CNR), t-value, and Brain network, and overlaps using hemodynamic brain signals within a predetermined statistical analysis time window among hemodynamic brain signals. A brain function activity visualization device that is updated every predetermined cycle by an overlapping method.
delete According to claim 1,
The brain activity calculation index is a contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), a brain functional activity visualization device.
delete According to claim 1,
The output unit outputs to a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI) on a computer screen, a brain function activity visualization device.
According to claim 5,
The graphical user interface (GUI)
A brain functional activity visualization device comprising: a three-dimensional standard head model representation unit displaying a location of at least one FNIRS channel among a plurality of FNIRS channels.
According to claim 6,
The graphical user interface (GUI)
A brain activity visualization device comprising: a brain activity visualization display unit representing brain function activity as the length of a bar at a location of at least one FNIRS channel among a plurality of FNIRS channels of the 3D standard head model representation unit.
According to claim 7,
The brain activity visualization expression unit
A brain functional activity visualization device that indicates whether the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel is within a predetermined statistical range by the color of the bar bar.
According to claim 7,
The brain activity visualization expression unit
A brain functional activity visualization device that displays a bar having a brain functional activity lower than a predetermined statistical range in a blue color and a bar showing a brain functional activity higher than the statistical range in a red color.
According to claim 6,
The graphical user interface (GUI),
Brain activity color map scale control unit for adjusting the scale of the color displayed on the bar; including, brain functional activity visualization device.
According to claim 5,
The graphical user interface (GUI)
A brain function activity visualization device comprising a; brain signal representation unit representing the hemodynamic brain signal.
According to claim 11,
The brain signal expression unit
A brain functional activity visualization device that represents one or more of the hemodynamic brain signals of a single FNIRS channel and of all FNIRS channels.
According to claim 1,
The brain functional activity visualization device
A data storage unit for storing the hemodynamic brain signal, the brain activity calculation index, and the brain function activity; further comprising a brain function activity visualization device.
According to claim 13,
The brain functional activity visualization device
A data analysis unit that analyzes brain activity using at least one of the stored hemodynamic brain signal, brain activity calculation index, and brain activity level; further comprising a brain function activity visualization device.
an FNIRS device connected to the subject's brain and including a plurality of FNIRS channels for receiving hemodynamic brain signals for the brain; and
A brain functional activity measuring device comprising a; brain functional activity visualization device of claim 1.
A method of visualizing brain functional activity using hemodynamic brain signals obtained from a plurality of FNIRS channels connected to the brain of a subject,
The brain function activity visualization device calculates the brain activity calculation index from the hemodynamic brain signal in the stimulated state obtained from the brain in the stimulated state based on the hemodynamic brain signal in the resting state obtained from the brain in the resting state by the signal processing unit. calculating;
Calculating, by a brain function activity visualization apparatus, a brain function activity of each FNIRS channel from the brain activity calculation index using a statistical probability density function by a calculation unit; and
A brain functional activity visualization device displaying the brain functional activity of each FNIRS channel as the length and color of a bar on the surface of the 3D standard head model through an output unit;
The brain activity calculation index is any one of contrast to noise ratio (CNR), t-value, and Brain network, and overlaps using hemodynamic brain signals within a predetermined statistical analysis time window among hemodynamic brain signals. A brain function activity visualization method that is updated every predetermined cycle by an overlapping method.

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