The University of Western Ontario

Published purpose

Previous research (funded by CSTIP QSP-019-2) allowed for the development of a brain monitoring device based on advanced time-resolved Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (trNIRS) technology, which demonstrated the ability to measure metabolic activity in the brain-equivalent layer of realistic head models mimicking adult human anatomy. The Project aims to refine the technology and validate its capability to noninvasively monitor cerebral metabolism in adults. The Project Team will conduct a carotid occlusion study in a pig model of the adult head, inducing measurable changes in cerebral metabolism. Data collected with trNIRS probes positioned on the scalp will be compared against direct brain measurements to assess accuracy. Additionally, the device will be tested in adult volunteers performing finger tapping tasks to detect subtle cerebral metabolic changes with trNIRS probes on the scalp, over the motor cortex. The Project will also investigate integrating superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) into the trNIRS device to enhance brain sensitivity.