Wearable Neuroimaging Technology
Developing Wearable Neuroimaging Systems for Brain Imaging at Home for children at home.
Project Brief. The primary goal is to make brain imaging more accessible and less intimidating for children, supporting better diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.
Project Overview. The wearable system is designed with child-friendly features, ensuring comfort and ease of use for young patients. It integrates advanced neuroimaging technology with a user-centric design, allowing for continuous monitoring and data collection in a non-invasive manner.
With the CBrain Lab at Stanford University School of Medicine
Project Type. Research Assistant, Design Engineer
This is an ongoing project.
Background
Functional near-infrareddes spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a noninvasive optical imaging technique that measures changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations within the brain by means of their characteristic absorption spectra of the wavelengths range of 700–1000 nm [35,36].
The C-Brain Lab has developed a wearable, wireless fNIRS headband and accompanying tablet app for testing.
Our Approach
Our neuro-technology research is focused on developing and validating a consumer-grade, cost-effective functional brain imaging system that is wearable, wireless, smart-phone operated, and fun-to-use for personal and population-based neuroimaging and neuro-monitoring.
Noninvasive, optical imaging technology is adopted to develop a system that is robust to motion and physiological artifacts and can be reliably used at home on a daily basis.
Design Features
The headband contains 17 channels that measure hemoglobin-concentration changes in the prefrontal cortex.
Testable Research Application
The purpose of this study is to examine the reproducibility and consistency of the platform while also observing cognitive enhancements in individuals. ​
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11 health adult participants were recruited
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Tests included the “n-back” working memory test, Flanker selective attention test, and Go-Nogo response inhibition test, as well as an ending rest period
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Data is sent to a HIPAA-compliant cloud portal for oversight and analysis by researchers and clinicians.
HBO = oxygenated hemoglobin
HBR = deoxygenated hemoglobin
Purpose & Future Directions
Our neuro-technology research is focused on developing and validating a consumer-grade, cost-effective functional brain imaging system that is wearable, wireless, smart-phone operated, and fun-to-use for personal and population-based neuroimaging and neuro-monitoring.
Noninvasive, optical imaging technology is adopted to develop a system that is robust to motion and physiological artifacts and can be reliably used at home on a daily basis.
What I learned...
Importance of User-Centric Design
Advancing Technical Expertise
Navigating Home-Based Healthcare
Developing a wearable neuroimaging system for children underscored the importance of designing with the end-user in mind. Ensuring that the device was comfortable, non-intrusive, and engaging for children was crucial. This experience highlighted how user-centric design principles can significantly impact the effectiveness and adoption of medical technology.
The project involved complex technical challenges related to integrating neuroimaging technology into a wearable format. This provided an opportunity to deepen my understanding of neuroimaging systems, sensor technology, and data acquisition methods, enhancing my technical skills in a cutting-edge field.
Working on a system designed for home use revealed the unique challenges and considerations of remote healthcare. Ensuring that the system was reliable and user-friendly in a home setting taught me about the practicalities of implementing medical technology outside traditional clinical environments, including user training, data privacy, and remote support.
