SOP: KIT-MEG ============ :Subtitle: Routine Research Sessions :Author: Hadi Zaatiti :DocID: CTP_MEG_000 :Issue: 1.0 :po_number: :Date: March 2026 :approved_by: Reza Rowshan :date_approved: March 2026 :Location: C2, MEG Lab Purpose ------- This SOP gives practical instructions for operating the KIT-MEG system during routine research sessions, and for shutting the system down safely in case of an emergency. Frequency --------- * As needed for research sessions * Typical session duration: 1–2 hours System overview --------------- The KIT-MEG system includes: * 256-channel MEG system with supine bed, helmet and liquid helium Dewar * Magnetically shielded room (MSR) * DAQ PCs and signal processing system * MEG Main PC for recording control * Stimulus PC for experiment control * Head position monitoring system * Video and audio monitoring systems Before each session ------------------- Checks to be made ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Check that the KIT-MEG system powers on without error messages. * Ensure helium level is sufficient for the planned session. * Confirm there are no active alarms on the compressors, ATP or ATL. * Check that the MSR door closes fully and the ventilation is working. * Verify that the emergency shutdown instructions are clearly visible. Lab setup ~~~~~~~~~ * Turn on the MEG Main PC and open the MEGLAB / MEG160 software. * Turn on the DAQ PCs via the MEG software (e.g. ``Acquire → Wake-Up DAQ``). * Wake the Stimulus PC and run the test script. * Confirm the stimulus display in the MSR is correct. * Turn on camera monitors and communication soundboard. * Wake the HeadScan system in the preparation room. * Prepare the room: fresh linen on the bed, tape, earbuds, button box, cushions. * Make sure personal items and metal objects are removed from the MSR. Participant arrival and screening --------------------------------- * Obtain informed consent and required demographic information. * Confirm the participant has no contraindications for MEG / strong magnets. * Ask the participant to remove all metal objects (jewellery, watches, belts, hearing aids, bank cards, phones, etc.). * Change the participant into scrubs if required by local policy. * Check again for metal before entering the MSR. Head localisation and positioning --------------------------------- Head scan ~~~~~~~~~ * Seat the participant in the HeadScan chair. * Mark the laser points on the participant’s face according to the HeadScan system instructions. * Perform the head scan and register the required laser points. Positioning in the MSR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Enter the MSR with the participant; remove footwear before entering. * Place the comfort pad under the participant’s knees. * Position the participant so the head is centred inside the KIT-MEG helmet. * Insert clean earbuds and position the left / right button box as required. * Apply head position markers as per local practice. * Check the participant is comfortable and can communicate with the operator. Running the experiment ---------------------- * Confirm the correct experiment script is loaded on the Stimulus PC. * Start MEG acquisition on the MEG Main PC. * Verify that data are being recorded and that noise levels are acceptable. * Monitor the participant via camera and audio throughout the session. * Pause or stop the experiment if the participant reports discomfort. End of session -------------- * Stop data acquisition in the MEG software. * Save and back up recorded data according to local data procedures. * Remove head position markers and earbuds. * Assist the participant out of the MSR and back into the preparation area. * Confirm the participant feels well before they leave. * Tidy the MSR (linen, pads, cables) so the system is ready for the next user. * Turn off non-essential peripherals (monitors, soundboard, lights) as per local practice. Emergency shutdown procedure ---------------------------- Use this procedure if there is an emergency while the MEG system is on (e.g. fire alarm, serious medical event, major leak). If a participant is in the MSR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Safely stop the task and speak to the participant. * Remove the participant from the MSR following the evacuation instructions posted on the door of the MSR. * Do not delay evacuation for data saving. Shut down MEG acquisition ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * On the MEG Main PC, open the MEG acquisition software if it is not already open. * In the menu bar, select: ``Acquire → Shutdown DAQ → Shut Down Data Acquisition Equipment`` * Confirm that the DAQ systems are stopping. If the system was already off at the time of the emergency, no additional shutdown steps are required. General emergency actions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Follow building fire / evacuation alarms immediately. * Alert people in the vicinity and guide them to the Emergency Assembly Point. * Once you are safe, contact Public Safety and inform them of the situation. * Provide any information about the MEG system status if requested by responders. * Do not re-enter the MSR or restart the system until cleared to do so. Key contacts ------------ * Responsible Person – KIT-MEG operations: * Hadi Zaatiti – hz3752@nyu.edu – 056 275 4921 * Core Technology Platform (CTP) contacts: * Osama Abdullah – oa22@nyu.edu – 056 679 3378 * Haidee Paterson – hp42@nyu.edu – 02 628 7635 * Director of Laboratory: * Reza Rowshan – rr130@nyu.edu – 02 628 4110 * Facilities Management: * Jake Edmondson - jake.edmondson@nyu.edu – 02 628 4051