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 systems provide 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.
- Updated Digital Communication Cables (Sensor Head)
- Higher Frame Rates—up to 10 Hz
- Lower noise—almost twice as efficient LEDs
- Two-way Synchronization
- Near Sensors—reduced systemic artifacts
- Compact & Compatible—use new sensors with Imager 2000 or 1200 Series
- fNIRSoft Pro included in most configurations (upgrade available for others)
- No Isolation Transformer Required
fNIR readily integrates with the BIOPAC B-Alert X10 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 (IR light sources and 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 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
fNIR Imaging Education System
Part #: fNIR103E
fNIR Imaging Systems are stand-alone functional brain imaging solutions for continuous NIR spectroscopy (NIRS). They provide an in-lab cognitive function…
fNIR Imaging Systems
Part #: FNIR103C, FNIR203C, fNIR303C
fNIR Imaging Systems are stand-alone functional brain imaging solutions for continuous NIR spectroscopy (NIRS). They provide an in-lab cognitive function…
fNIR Mobile Imaging Systems
Part #: fNIR103M, fNIR203M, fNIR303M
High-performance mobile fNIR Imaging Systems are stand-alone functional brain imaging solutions for continuous NIR spectroscopy (NIRS). These top of the…
fNIR Sensor Cable
Part #: RXFNIR-CBL2000L, RXFNIR-CBL2000R
Use this sensor cable to connect a NIRS prefrontal cortex sensor pad to an fNIR Imager 2000 unit LEFT or RIGHT…
fNIR Sensors
Part #: RXFNIR-4, fNIR-Phantom
Functional near infrared optical brain imaging forehead (prefrontal cortex) sensor pads connect to fNIR System Imager unit to provide real-time oxy-Hb, deoxy-Hb, and…
fNIR Sensors 2000
Part #: RXFNIR-2000-18S, RXFNIR-2000-6, RXFNIR-2000-5
These functional near infrared optical brain imaging forehead (prefrontal cortex) sensor pads connect to an fNIR Imager to provide real-time oxy-Hb,…
fNIR Software Standard Edition
Part #: fNIRSOFT-STD
fNIRSOFT (fS) is a stand-alone software package designed to process, analyze and visualize functional near infrared (fNIR) spectroscopy signals through…
fNIRS High-Density Imaging Systems
Part #: FNIR303S, FNIR203S, FNIR103S
fNIR Imaging Systems are stand-alone functional brain imaging solutions for continuous NIR spectroscopy (NIRS). They provide an in-lab cognitive function…
fNIRSoft Additional Licenses
Part #: FNIRSOFT-STD-4, FNIRSOFT-PRO-4, FNIRSOFT-STD-9, FNIRSOFT-PRO-9
fNIRSOFT (fS) Standard or Pro software included in systems or purchased separately is a single-user application. For labs that require more…
fNIRSoft Professional Edition
Part #: fNIRSOFT-PRO, fNIRSOFT-PRO-U
fNIRSOFT (fS) is a stand-alone software package designed to process, analyze and visualize functional near infrared (fNIR) spectroscopy signals through…
fNIRSoft Update License
Part #: FNIRSOFT-S-UDP1, FNIRSOFT-S-UDP2, FNIRSOFT-S-UDP5, FNIRSOFT-P-UDP1, FNIRSOFT-P-UDP2, FNIRSOFT-P-UDP5
fNIRSOFT (fS) Standard or Pro software included in systems or purchased separately includes a one-year maintenance agreement. Customers can continue to…