Wearable Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPM-MEG)
Traditional Magnetoencephalography (MEG) required a massive, liquid-helium-cooled helmet that forced the patient to remain perfectly still. In 2026, this has been replaced by OPM-MEG, a wearable, lightweight "bionic cap."
Natural Movement: Because the sensors do not require cooling, they can be placed directly against the scalp. This allows for imaging children, patients with Parkinson's tremors, or even people walking, providing the first-ever look at the brain's magnetic activity during real-world movement.
Millisecond Precision: OPM-MEG captures neural firing at the speed of thought, far faster than the blood-flow changes tracked by fMRI.
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