Tender for The Supply of Optically Pumped Magnetometers and Accessories for Magnetoencephalography to the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of - At least 65 optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) sensors and electronics to be used for magnetoencephalography (MEG) - An adjustable helmet(s) to arrange the sensors around the head of adults and children - A MEG-compatible chair for patient and helmet(s) support

These items will be part of facilities for brain imaging at the Centre for Human Brain Health. The items will be combined in order to detect neuronal dynamics as well as localize neuronal signals in the brain.

We require the OPM sensors to have sensitivity below 15 fT/sqrt(Hz). The sensors will be used in the OPM lab at CHBH. The lab is in the proximity of elevators. Therefore, we require that the sensors have operating range of at least ± 100nT and the dynamic range of at least ± 10nT with good linear response in that range. Regarding the bandwidth, we require that the system can record oscillatory brain activity (3-100Hz); ideally 1-100 Hz.

The helmet(s) should allow sensors placement within millimetres form the subject's scalp. Participants for OPM-MEG research will be of all ages. Therefore, it will be required that the sensor array can be adjusted easily between different head sizes. The helmet(s) should allow the array of sensors to conform rapidly to the subject's head. We require that the helmet(s) is able to accommodate at least 60 sensors.

To obtain precise source localisation, we require that the sensors in the array have well defined placement and the position of each sensor can be established with 1mm precision. We require that the information on each sensor's placement can be automatically stored in the data output file for each measurement.

The system should also include a chair or a bed that has supports to fix the helmet in a desired position. The chair should be able to sit adults as well as children. The chair should be compatible with ultralow magnetic field environment requirements, be sturdy and comfortable.

We require all the items to be safe to operate on human subjects. The recording sessions are expected to last 1-2h, during which wearing the helmet should be comfortable for the subject. We require that sensors to not overheat during this time.

We request the electronics of the sensors to be fully integrated, simple, ready to use and easy to scale up. It should allow us to drive the sensor, retrieve data and interface the sensors with computers. The Data Acquisition unit/OPM controllers should have additional analogue and digital inputs and outputs. Additional head-position indicator (HPI) coils with a driver will be a benefit. Additional benefit will be if the format of the output files (raw and meta data) is compatible with conventional MEG devices and ability to import the files directly into MNE Python based software.

Your tender documents and information must be submitted via In-Tend by the date and time specified; www.in-tendhost.com/universityofbirmingham.