New wearable to monitor neuromuscular activity magnetically

Known as SUPREMISE (Super-Resolution non-invasive muscle measurements with miniaturised magnetic sensors), the project will be led by Professor Hadi Heidari of Glasgow University. Prof Heidari has been awarded £1.8m via an EPSRC Open Fellowship to develop the technology, which will seek to provide a non-invasive alternative to existing methods for monitoring electrical activity in patients’ muscles.

Currently, electromyography (EMG) can be used to measure this activity with external electrodes, but more accurate measurements require thin needles to be inserted into the muscles. Prof Heidari and his colleagues are looking to a technology known as magnetomyography (MMG) to provide highly accurate measurements without the needles.

“Diagnosing and monitoring serious neuromuscular conditions can require the regular use of needles, which can be painful and unpleasant, particularly for older people and children,” said Professor Heidari, from Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering.

“MMG has the potential to deliver improved results with less invasive measures, but the technology is still relatively new compared to EMG and there is a lot of work to be done to fully realise that potential.”