New Ways to Study the Human Brain

There is a new piece of technology that allows scientists to see the inside of our planet. This technology uses 3D laser scanning.  Now researchers are thinking that if this scanner can see inside of the earth that it may be able to help study the human brain.

In theory, it has the same principle. Our planet has a crust around the edges, and this device was able to see through that edge. The human brain has a skull protecting the insides. If researchers can develop and adapt the first 3D laser scanning device that was used to study our planet. They may be able to explore the human brain with it.

There would be many different benefits from being able to study the human brain noninvasively. Our bodies need more research and understanding from doctors to cure some illnesses and diseases that we otherwise have no way of treating. The brain is highly understudied because there is no way to get in there without hurting someone. Until now.

How it works

This new 3D laser scanning device would take the shape of a helmet that surrounds someone’s head. It would use the original algorithms that were used to see inside the earth. It would 3D map the brain using waveform inversion to collect data on the brain. This could allow us to see every angle of the brain and see what is actually happening in someone’s head!

This helmet could produce high-resolution images to be studied for any diseases or any form of research at all. The helmet would be equipped with sound transmitters and receivers, allowing researchers to have access to different parts of the brain using the transmitters.

The team is still in the development phase of this technology. Still, the researchers are sure they can get high-quality images and accurate information from this type of 3D laser scanning device.

Who it could help

This is a noninvasive way to get results of a head scan. It could work almost instantly, instead of having to get an MRI. For individual MRI scans, a person’s head must be held down, leading to a terrible experience for someone with special needs or anyone scared of the doctors. So far, it has been some of the only ways to get scans of the brain.

3D laser scanning can save time for a patient to get results, and provide a means for patients to feel in control of their own body, this can benefit everyone. This technology could help make scary things seem a little less frightening and comfortable.

Why it could get adopted easily

Not only is this technology noninvasive, if the researchers were able to shrink down the equipment and making it fully portable, but people around the world could also have access to head scans. This could go on ships or planes with doctors going to other countries to help patients if it were to shrink down. It is relatively budget-friendly for all of the benefits it provides and allows someone to be able to move around rather than sit still in one spot for over an hour. 3D laser scanning offers almost instant results that other previous ways could never have offered.

Conclusion

3D laser scanning could change the way things are done in the medical field. It may help future researchers study the human brain, and it could help prospective patients to get answers they need faster than ever before. This technology will continue to shape our world and provide a better standard of living.