fNIR Optical Brain Imaging

Continuous Wave fNIR Spectroscopy: Affordable Cognitive Assessment

fNIR is a wearable near-infrared spectroscopy based system that enables the continuous, noninvasive, and safe monitoring of changes in blood oxygenation and blood volume related to human brain function. fNIR system provides real-time monitoring of tissue oxygenation in the brain as subjects take tests, perform cognitive tasks, and/or receive stimulation. Wireless and wired solutions are available for adult and pediatric subjects.

fNIR readily integrates with the BIOPAC B-Alertx10 for acquisition of EEG and monitoring and determination of cognitive states. The fNIR system can also be readily integrated with other physiological and neurobehavioral measures that assess human brain activity, including eye tracking, pupil reflex, respiration and electrodermal activity. fNIR system allows researchers to quantitatively assess brain functions, including but not limited to attention, working memory, planning, decision making, problem solving, etc while individuals perform cognitive tasks.

Subjects wear an fNIR sensor (four IR light sources and ten detectors mounted in a flexible band) on the forehead that detects oxygen levels in the prefrontal cortex and provides real-time values for oxy-hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin. It provides a continuous and real-time display of the oxygen changes as the subject performs different tasks. The subject can sit in front of a computer and take a test or perform mobile tasks. It integrates with stimulus presentation systems and BIOPAC’s virtual reality products.

The fNIR device provides relative changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb), deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyHb) and total hemoglobin (oxyHb+deoxyHb). The technology empowers researchers by providing greater flexibility for real-life study design, including working within complex lab environments and deploying in various field settings such as, operating room, classroom, cockpit, control stations, training simulators, etc.

 Learn more…

• Read fNIR Product Flyer—compare systems & software features
• Read fNIR FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions
• Review fNIR articles (PDF) and Citations
• Watch the introduction to fNIR Technology video article from Journal of Visualized Experiments

Ayaz, H., Shewokis, P. A., Curtin, A., Izzetoglu, M., Izzetoglu, K., Onaral, B. Using MazeSuite and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Study Learning in Spatial Navigation. J. Vis. Exp. (56), e 3443, DOI: 10.3791/3443 (2011).

Suggested Papers

• Continuous monitoring of brain dynamics with functional near infrared spectroscopy as a tool for neuroergonomic research: empirical examples and a technological development
• Wearable functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): expanding vistas for neurocognitive augmentation
• A portable near infrared spectroscopy system for bedside monitoring of newborn brain
• Front lobe role in simple arithmetic calculations: An fNIR study
• Tangram Solved? Prefrontal cortex activation analysis during geometric problem solving
• A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study of Lexical Decision Task Supports the Dual Route Model and the Phonological Deficit Theory of Dyslexia