A multi-channel modular near-infrared brain function imaging system

Abstract

This invention provides a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system, including multiple interface components, multiple monitoring components, an external control processing unit, and multiple wires. The sockets are electrically connected to the transmitting end and the receiving end, respectively, enabling the external control processing unit to drive the transmitting end and acquire the output signal of the receiving end through the wires, connectors, contacts, and sockets. This relates to the field of brain function detection and wearable medical testing devices. By arranging multiple interface components one-to-one with multiple monitoring components, and forming a complete driving and acquisition path through connectors, contacts, sockets, and wires, the external control processing unit can stably drive the transmitting end to emit near-infrared light and acquire the output signal of the receiving end, improving the reliability of the electrical connections of each channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of brain function testing and wearable medical testing equipment, specifically to a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain function imaging system. Background Technology

[0002] Functional near-infrared brain imaging systems typically emit near-infrared light onto the scalp via an emitting end, and receive the reflected light after it has been scattered and absorbed by the head tissues via a receiving end. The changes in the received light intensity are then analyzed by an external control and processing unit to obtain information on changes in blood oxygenation in the measured area.

[0003] Existing multi-channel near-infrared brain functional imaging systems require the placement of detection channels at multiple locations on the head. However, during modular installation, disassembly, and repeated wear, the relative positions between the transmitter and receiver are prone to change, leading to unstable detection spacing and consequently affecting sampling depth and signal consistency. Furthermore, when multiple detection channels are connected to external control devices, unclear interface structures or unreliable connections can easily result in poor contact and ambiguous channel correspondences, affecting the stability of multi-channel acquisition results. Therefore, maintaining stable electrical connections and fixed detection spacing in a modular multi-channel structure is a technical problem that needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to embodiments of the present invention, a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system is provided to address the technical problems existing in the background art described above.

[0005] In a first aspect of the present invention, a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system is provided.

[0006] This multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system includes multiple interface components, multiple monitoring components, an external control and processing unit, and multiple leads; The interface component includes connectors, contacts, sockets, and a base. Multiple connectors are connected to the external control processing unit via wires. Contacts are connected to the connectors, and sockets are disposed on the base, with contacts plugged into the sockets. The monitoring component includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a fixed-gap bridge. The transmitter and receiver are disposed below the base, and the fixed-gap bridge connects the transmitter and receiver. The socket is electrically connected to the transmitter and the receiver respectively, so that the external control processing unit can drive the transmitter and collect the output signal of the receiver through the wire, the connector, the contact and the socket.

[0007] Preferably, the fixed-spacing bridge is a rigid bridge body, one end of the fixed-spacing bridge is connected to the transmitting end, and the other end of the fixed-spacing bridge is connected to the receiving end. The transmitting end and the receiving end maintain a preset detection spacing during use.

[0008] Preferably, it also includes an adjustment assembly, which includes a frame, a ball joint, a spherical seat, a pad, and a movable shell; The frame is connected to the bottom of the base, the spherical seat is connected to the frame, the ball joint is slidably engaged with the inner wall of the spherical seat, the ball joint is connected to the pad, and the outer wall of the pad is connected to the inner side of the movable shell.

[0009] Preferably, the transmitting end, the receiving end, and the fixed-spacing bridge are all connected to the movable shell, and the movable shell can swing relative to the spherical seat through the ball joint.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes two actuating components, each of which includes a lever, a rubber strip, a connecting plate, and a main shaft; The two rods are each connected to a rubber strip, which is arranged opposite to each other. The rods are connected to the main shaft via the connecting plate, and the main shaft is rotatably connected to the lower part of the movable shell. The two rubber strips can rotate with the corresponding rods to push aside the hair below the transmitter and receiver.

[0011] Preferably, the actuating assembly further includes a torsion spring, which is sleeved on the main shaft, and its two ends are respectively connected to the inner side of the main shaft and the movable housing.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes a connection confirmation component, which includes an extension rod, two limiting plates, an annular protrusion, a crossbeam, a protrusion, and a drive ring; The annular protrusion is connected to the lower outer wall of the seat body. The crossbeam is connected to the annular protrusion through a connecting part, and the crossbeam is arranged circumferentially along the seat body. The bottom of the crossbeam is spaced apart from the top of the annular protrusion, thereby forming a limiting space between the crossbeam and the annular protrusion to accommodate the movement of the protrusion. The two limiting plates are connected to the outer wall of the seat body and are used to guide the protrusion into the limiting space. The drive ring is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the connector, the extension rod is connected to the drive ring, and the protrusion is connected to the extension rod.

[0013] Preferably, the connection confirmation component further includes a contact switch disposed between the two limiting plates and located on the entrance side of the limiting space. The contact switch is electrically connected to the external control processing unit, and the protrusion can trigger the contact switch before entering the limiting space.

[0014] Preferably, the external control processing unit can initiate a connection test of the corresponding interface component based on the trigger state of the contact switch, and the external control processing unit determines the electrical connection state between the contact and the socket based on the connection test result.

[0015] Preferably, it also includes a head-mounted wearable device and multiple positioning holes, the multiple positioning holes being formed on the head-mounted wearable device, the base being connected to the positioning holes via a connecting frame, and the movable shell passing through the positioning holes.

[0016] One or more technical solutions provided in this application have at least the following technical effects or advantages: This invention provides a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system. By assigning multiple interface components to multiple monitoring components in a one-to-one correspondence, each monitoring component can be modularly connected to an external control and processing unit, facilitating channel expansion, disassembly and maintenance, and reuse. A complete drive and acquisition path is formed through connectors, contacts, sockets, and wires, enabling the external control and processing unit to stably drive the transmitter to emit near-infrared light and acquire the output signal from the receiver, improving the reliability of the electrical connections of each channel. By setting a fixed-gap bridge between the transmitter and receiver, the detection distance between them can be maintained, reducing sampling depth variations and channel measurement deviations caused by relative position changes during insertion, wearing, or reuse, thereby improving the consistency and repeatability of multi-channel near-infrared brain functional imaging data.

[0017] It should be understood that the description in the Summary of the Invention is not intended to limit the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to restrict the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the various embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements, wherein: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the external connection structure of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional connection structure of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 An exploded view of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4A partial cross-sectional view of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the connection structure of the auxiliary components of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the connection structure of the connection confirmation component of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 7 A partial cross-sectional view of the toggle assembly of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional view of the toggle assembly of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 9 An exploded view of the auxiliary components of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 10 An exploded view of the adjustment components of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 11 An exploded view of the connection confirmation component of a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1-Interface assembly, 10-Positioning hole, 11-Connector, 12-Contact, 13-Socket, 14-Base, 2-Adjustment assembly, 21-Frame, 22-Ball joint, 23-Tension spring, 24-Spherical seat, 25-Push plate, 26-Rubber ring, 27-Moving shell, 3-Monitoring assembly, 31-Transmitter, 32-Receiver, 33-Fixed spacing bridge, 4-Actuating assembly, 41-Rod, 42-Rubber strip, 43-Connecting plate, 44-Main shaft, 45-Torsion spring, 5-Auxiliary 51-Auxiliary component, 52-Ring plate, 53-Slide rod, 54-First spring, 55-Trapezoidal plate, 56-Rotating ring, 57-Outer ring, 58-Card block, 59-Card slot, 6-Connection confirmation component, 61-Extension rod, 62-Limiting plate, 63-Ring protrusion, 64-Contact switch, 65-Crossbeam, 66-Protrusion, 67-Ring top plate, 68-Electromagnet, 69-Drive ring, 7-Wire, 8-External control processing unit, 9-Head-mounted wearable device. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Furthermore, the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0022] In this embodiment, for ease of description, when the multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system is worn on the subject's head, the side closer to the scalp is defined as the lower or inner side, and the side away from the scalp is defined as the upper or outer side; the direction of the movable shell 27 from the base 14 towards the scalp is defined as the axial direction, and the direction around the central axis of the movable shell 27 is defined as the circumferential direction.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, this embodiment provides a multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system, which includes multiple interface components 1, multiple monitoring components 3, an external control and processing unit 8, and multiple leads 7. The multiple interface components 1 are respectively configured to correspond to the multiple monitoring components 3. Each interface component 1 is used to establish a detachable electrical connection between the corresponding monitoring component 3 and the external control and processing unit 8. Each monitoring component 3 is used to form a near-infrared optical measurement unit. When the multiple monitoring components 3 are distributed at different positions on the subject's head, multiple near-infrared detection channels can be formed, thereby achieving synchronous or time-division acquisition of blood oxygenation trends in multiple brain regions.

[0024] Interface component 1 includes connector 11, contact 12, socket 13, and base 14. Connector 11 is connected to wire 7, and multiple connectors 11 are connected to external control processing unit 8 via corresponding wires 7. Contact 12 is connected to connector 11, and socket 13 is disposed on base 14. When connector 11 is inserted into or near base 14, contact 12 and socket 13 engage. Socket 13 can be electrically connected to the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 of the corresponding monitoring component 3 via conductive elements, flexible circuit boards, wires, or printed circuitry. Thus, external control processing unit 8 can sequentially send drive signals to transmitter 31 via wire 7, connector 11, contact 12, and socket 13, and can receive photoelectric detection signals output by receiver 32.

[0025] The monitoring component 3 includes a transmitter 31, a receiver 32, and a fixed-spacing bridge 33. The transmitter 31 and receiver 32 are positioned below the base 14 and facing the subject's scalp. The transmitter 31 can be a near-infrared light-emitting diode, a laser diode, or other light source capable of emitting near-infrared light; the receiver 32 can be a photodiode, an avalanche photodiode, or other photoelectric detection device capable of converting received light signals into electrical signals. The fixed-spacing bridge 33 connects the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 to maintain the detection spacing between them.

[0026] Furthermore, the fixed-spacing bridge 33 is preferably a rigid bridge body. One end of the fixed-spacing bridge 33 is connected to the transmitter 31, and the other end is connected to the receiver 32, so that the transmitter 31 and the receiver 32 maintain a preset detection spacing during insertion, wearing, fitting, and adjustment. Since the effective propagation depth and sampling area of ​​near-infrared light in head tissue in functional near-infrared measurement are related to the detection spacing, maintaining the relative position of the transmitter 31 and the receiver 32 by using the fixed-spacing bridge 33 can reduce the inter-channel measurement deviation caused by module insertion and removal, changes in wearing pressure, or changes in local scalp curvature.

[0027] To enable the monitoring component 3 to adapt to different head shapes and scalp curvatures at different measurement positions, the system also includes an adjustment component 2. The adjustment component 2 includes a frame 21, a ball joint 22, a tension spring 23, a spherical seat 24, a pad 25, a rubber ring 26, and a movable shell 27. The frame 21 is connected to the bottom of the seat 14, the spherical seat 24 is connected to the frame 21, and the ball joint 22 slides within the spherical surface of the inner wall of the spherical seat 24. The ball joint 22 is connected to the pad 25, and the outer wall of the pad 25 is connected to the inner side of the movable shell 27, allowing the movable shell 27 to swing at a small angle relative to the spherical seat 24 with the ball joint 22.

[0028] The top of the movable shell 27 is connected to the bottom of the seat body 14 via a rubber ring 26. The rubber ring 26 serves two purposes: firstly, it creates an elastic transition between the movable shell 27 and the seat body 14, allowing the movable shell 27 to deflect within a certain angle range; secondly, it flexibly seals the gap between the seat body 14 and the movable shell 27, reducing the possibility of stray light, dust, or sweat entering the internal structure. The top of the ball joint 22 is connected to the bottom of the seat body 14 via a tension spring 23. The tension spring 23 applies a return force and preload to the ball joint 22 and the movable shell 27, enabling the movable shell 27 to adaptively deflect when subjected to scalp reaction force and to return to its normal position after the external force is released.

[0029] The transmitter 31, receiver 32, and fixed-gap bridge 33 are all connected to the movable housing 27. Preferably, the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 are respectively located at the end of the movable housing 27 near the scalp, or corresponding to the optical window at the end of the movable housing 27 near the scalp. When the movable housing 27 swings relative to the spherical seat 24 via the ball joint 22, the transmitter 31, receiver 32, and fixed-gap bridge 33 adjust their posture as a whole with the movable housing 27. Thus, the monitoring component 3 can conform to scalp surfaces with different curvatures, while the fixed-gap bridge 33 maintains a constant detection distance between the transmitter 31 and receiver 32. The fixed-gap bridge 33 balances skin-fitting adaptability and optical geometric stability.

[0030] To reduce the obstruction of the light output path of the transmitter 31 and the light input path of the receiver 32 by hair, this system also includes two toggle assemblies 4. Each toggle assembly 4 includes a rod 41, a rubber strip 42, a connecting plate 43, a main shaft 44, and a torsion spring 45. Rubber strips 42 are connected to both rods 41, and the two rubber strips 42 are positioned opposite each other near the skin-contact areas of the transmitter 31 and receiver 32. The rods 41 are connected to the main shaft 44 via the connecting plate 43, and the main shaft 44 is rotatably connected to the lower part of the movable housing 27. The torsion spring 45 is sleeved on the main shaft 44, and its two ends are connected to the inner sides of the main shaft 44 and the movable housing 27, respectively.

[0031] When no hair-flicking operation is performed, the torsion spring 45 keeps the rod 41 and rubber strip 42 in their initial positions. When the connecting plate 43 is subjected to external force, the connecting plate 43 drives the main shaft 44 and the rod 41 to rotate, causing the two rubber strips 42 to flick the hair below or around the transmitter end 31 and receiver end 32 in opposite directions. The rubber strips 42 are made of flexible material, which reduces scalp abrasion when flicking hair, and can push hair strands located in the near-infrared light path away from the light-emitting and light-receiving areas. After the external force is released, the torsion spring 45 drives the main shaft 44 and the rod 41 to reset, causing the rubber strips 42 to return to their initial positions.

[0032] To facilitate simultaneous operation of both actuating components 4, the system also includes an auxiliary component 5. The auxiliary component 5 includes an annular plate 51, a slide rod 52, a first spring 53, a trapezoidal plate 54, a rotating ring 55, and an outer ring 56. The annular plate 51 is slidably connected to the inner wall of the movable housing 27. A hole is provided on the side of the movable housing 27, and the slide rod 52 is fixedly connected to the hole. The annular plate 51 is fitted onto the slide rod 52 and can slide along it. The slide rod 52 acts as a guide, limiting the direction of movement of the annular plate 51 and preventing it from tilting within the movable housing 27.

[0033] A first spring 53 is sleeved on a slide rod 52. One end of the first spring 53 abuts against an annular plate 51, and the other end abuts against the inner side of the hole. When the annular plate 51 moves along the slide rod 52, the first spring 53 is compressed and stores elastic potential energy. When the holding force applied to the annular plate 51 is released, the first spring 53 can push the annular plate 51 back to its original position. A clearance groove is also provided on the movable shell 27 for the trapezoidal plate 54 to pass through. The annular plate 51 is connected to the trapezoidal plate 54, and the trapezoidal plate 54 passes through the clearance groove and is connected to the outer ring 56. The outer ring 56 is slidably connected to the outer wall of the movable shell 27 on the side of the head-mounted wearable device 9 away from the scalp. A rotating ring 55 is sleeved on the portion of the movable shell 27 on the side of the head-mounted wearable device 9 away from the scalp. The operator can push the outer ring 56 or rotate the rotating ring 55 on the outside of the head-mounted wearable device 9 to move the trapezoidal plate 54 and the annular plate 51 along the axial direction of the movable shell 27.

[0034] The trapezoidal plate 54 is respectively attached to the inner sides of the two connecting plates 43 on both sides. When the trapezoidal plate 54 moves along the axial direction of the movable shell 27, its two inclined surfaces or sides press against the two connecting plates 43, causing the two connecting plates 43 to drive the corresponding rods 41 to rotate around the main shaft 44. Thus, a single push of the outer ring 56 or the rotating ring 55 can simultaneously drive the two actuating components 4, causing the two rubber strips 42 to separate the hair near the transmitter end 31 and the receiver end 32.

[0035] The rotating ring 55 is rotatably connected to the outer ring 56, and the rotating ring 55 and the outer ring 56 are mutually limited along the axial direction of the movable shell 27. That is, the rotating ring 55 can rotate relative to the outer ring 56 around the axis of the movable shell 27, but in the axial direction, it can drive the outer ring 56 to maintain its position synchronously. The auxiliary component 5 also includes a locking block 57, a locking groove 58, and a straight groove 59. The locking block 57 is connected to the rotating ring 55, and the straight groove 59 is opened along the axial direction of the movable shell 27 on the part of the movable shell 27 located on the side of the head-mounted wearable device 9 away from the scalp. The locking groove 58 communicates with the straight groove 59, and the locking groove 58 is opened along the circumference of the movable shell 27 on the part of the movable shell 27 located on the side of the head-mounted wearable device 9 away from the scalp. The rotating ring 55, the locking block 57, the straight groove 59, and the locking groove 58 are all located on the outside of the head-mounted wearable device 9, and the operator can perform pushing, rotating, and locking operations while wearing the device.

[0036] In actual use, the operator first aligns the locking block 57 with the straight groove 59, and then pushes the rotating ring 55 along the axial direction of the movable shell 27. Since the rotating ring 55 and the outer ring 56 are mutually restrained axially, the rotating ring 55 drives the outer ring 56, trapezoidal plate 54, and annular plate 51 to move synchronously. The annular plate 51 slides along the fixed slide rod 52 and compresses the first spring 53, while the trapezoidal plate 54 presses against the two connecting plates 43, causing the two rubber strips 42 to separate the hair located near the near-infrared light path. When the locking block 57 moves to the position where the straight groove 59 connects with the locking groove 58, the operator rotates the rotating ring 55, causing the locking block 57 to enter the locking groove 58. At this time, the locking groove 58 restricts the locking block 57 from retracting axially, the rotating ring 55 maintains the position of the trapezoidal plate 54 and the annular plate 51 through the outer ring 56, the first spring 53 is in a compressed deformation state, and the two rubber strips 42 remain in the position where the hair is separated. After the collection is completed, the operator rotates the rotating ring 55 in the opposite direction, causing the locking block 57 to exit from the locking groove 58 and enter the straight groove 59. The first spring 53 pushes the annular plate 51, trapezoidal plate 54, outer ring 56 and rotating ring 55 to reset, while the torsion spring 45 drives the rod 41 and rubber strip 42 back to the initial position.

[0037] To determine whether connector 11 is properly inserted or locked, the system also includes a connection confirmation component 6. The connection confirmation component 6 includes an extension rod 61, two limiting plates 62, an annular protrusion 63, a contact switch 64, a crossbeam 65, a protrusion 66, and a drive ring 69. The annular protrusion 63 is connected to the lower outer wall of the base 14, and the crossbeam 65 is connected to the top of the annular protrusion 63, and is arranged circumferentially along the base 14. A limiting space is formed between the bottom of the crossbeam 65 and the top of the annular protrusion 63 to accommodate the movement of the protrusion 66. A friction pad is provided within this limiting space to prevent the protrusion 66 from easily disengaging from the limiting space between the crossbeam and the annular protrusion 63 under external force.

[0038] Two limiting plates 62 are connected to the outer wall of the base 14 and are located on both sides of the moving path of the protrusion 66, guiding the protrusion 66 toward the limiting space. A contact switch 64 is set at a predetermined trigger position between the two limiting plates 62 and is located on the entrance side of the limiting space. The contact switch 64 is electrically connected to the external control processing unit 8. A drive ring 69 is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the connector 11, an extension rod 61 is connected to the drive ring 69, and the protrusion 66 is connected to the extension rod 61. After connector 11 is inserted into socket 13 on base 14, the operator rotates drive ring 69. Drive ring 69 drives protrusion 66 to move along the outer periphery of base 14 via extension rod 61. Under the guidance of two limit plates 62, protrusion 66 first moves to contact switch 64 and triggers contact switch 64. External control processing unit 8 performs connection verification on corresponding interface component 1 according to the trigger signal of contact switch 64. After the connection verification is passed, protrusion 66 can continue to enter the limiting space between crossbeam 65 and annular protrusion 63, thereby completing the locking and fixing. This method can confirm the electrical connection status between contact 12 and socket 13 before mechanical locking, providing a verification step.

[0039] The connection confirmation assembly 6 also includes an annular top plate 67 and multiple electromagnets 68. The annular top plate 67 is connected to the upper outer wall of the connector 11, and the multiple electromagnets 68 are connected to the annular top plate 67 and electrically connected to the external control processing unit 8. The top of the drive ring 69 is in contact with the annular top plate 67, and the drive ring 69 is provided with a magnetic attraction part that can be attracted by the electromagnets 68. The magnetic attraction part can be the ferromagnetic material part of the drive ring 69 itself, or it can be a ferromagnetic sheet or magnetic block embedded in the drive ring 69. Before the connector 11 is plugged in but the corresponding channel has not yet passed the connection test, the external control processing unit 8 controls the electromagnets 68 to be energized. The electromagnets 68 attract the magnetic attraction part, so that the drive ring 69 is restricted to the pre-inspection position, thereby restricting the protrusion 66 from continuing to rotate into the limiting space below the crossbeam 65. At this time, the protrusion 66 can trigger the contact switch 64, but cannot yet complete the mechanical fixation. The external control processing unit 8 performs connection checks on the corresponding channels based on the trigger signal from the contact switch 64. Once the connection check is passed, the external control processing unit 8 controls the electromagnet 68 to de-energize or reduce its attraction force, allowing the drive ring 69 to continue rotating. The protrusion 66 then enters the limiting space between the crossbeam 65 and the annular protrusion 63, thus completing the mechanical fixation between the connector 11 and the base 14. This prevents the connector 11 from being directly locked if the electrical connection is not confirmed or the channel has not passed the check, improving the connection reliability before data acquisition for each channel.

[0040] In actual use, after the connector 11 and socket 13 are initially connected, the electromagnet 68 remains energized, and the drive ring 69 is restricted by the attraction of the electromagnet 68 and cannot directly rotate to the final locked position. When the operator rotates the drive ring 69, the protrusion 66 first moves to the contact switch 64 and triggers the contact switch 64. After the contact switch 64 is triggered, the external control processing unit 8 performs a connection test on the corresponding channel. The connection test may include at least one of the following: contact conduction status test, channel identification test, short-time lighting response test of the transmitter 31, and basic output signal test of the receiver 32. If the connection test fails, the external control processing unit 8 keeps the electromagnet 68 energized, so that the drive ring 69 continues to be restricted, and the protrusion 66 cannot enter the limiting space below the crossbeam 65, thereby preventing the interface assembly 1 from being fixed in an abnormal state. If the connection test passes, the external control processing unit 8 controls the electromagnet 68 to de-energize or release the adsorption restriction on the drive ring 69. The operator continues to rotate the drive ring 69 so that the protrusion 66 enters the limiting space between the crossbeam 65 and the annular protrusion 63 to complete the mechanical fixation. At this time, the external control processing unit 8 allows the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 of the corresponding channel to enter the acquisition state.

[0041] The system also includes a head-mounted wearable device 9 and multiple positioning holes 10. The positioning holes 10 are formed on the head-mounted wearable device 9 and distributed according to predetermined brain region locations. A base 14 is connected to the positioning holes 10 via a connecting frame, which can be a snap-fit ​​structure, a clamping structure, a threaded pressure ring structure, or other structure capable of fixing the base 14 to the positioning hole 10. A movable shell 27 passes through the positioning holes 10. The end of the movable shell 27 near the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 is located on the side of the head-mounted wearable device 9 closest to the scalp, while the end of the movable shell 27 away from the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 is located on the side of the head-mounted wearable device 9 opposite to the scalp. The outer ring 56 and the rotating ring 55 are positioned on the portion of the movable shell 27 located on the side of the head-mounted wearable device 9 away from the scalp, allowing the operator to push or rotate the rotating ring 55 from the outside of the head-mounted wearable device 9 while it is in use. In this way, the base 14 can serve as the module positioning and interface support, the end of the movable shell 27 near the scalp can serve as the skin-fitting and optical measurement function, and the rotating ring 55, located on the outside of the head-mounted wearable device 9, will not be sandwiched between the head-mounted wearable device 9 and the scalp, thus avoiding affecting wearing comfort and operational convenience. After the monitoring components 3 are respectively installed at multiple positioning holes 10, a multi-channel near-infrared acquisition array can be formed for the frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, or other brain regions according to different detection tasks.

[0042] The near-infrared measurement process of this system is as follows. The external control processing unit 8 is connected to multiple interface components 1 via multiple wires 7. The light source drive signal output by the external control processing unit 8 is transmitted sequentially to the corresponding monitoring component 3 via wires 7, connectors 11, contacts 12, and sockets 13 to drive the emitting end 31 to emit near-infrared light towards the scalp of the subject. After the near-infrared light enters the scalp, skull, and superficial brain tissue, it undergoes scattering and absorption in the biological tissue. A portion of the light propagates through the tissue and reaches the receiving end 32. The receiving end 32 converts the received light signal into an electrical signal related to the received light intensity. This electrical signal is then transmitted back to the external control processing unit 8 via sockets 13, contacts 12, connectors 11, and wires 7.

[0043] Because the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 maintain a preset detection distance through a fixed-gap bridge 33, the same monitoring component 3 can maintain relatively stable sampling geometry under different wearing conditions. The adjustment component 2 allows the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 to adapt to the local curvature of the scalp along with the movable shell 27, avoiding abnormal light intensity due to local suspension or unilateral pressure. The moving component 4 and auxiliary component 5 separate the hair near the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 before acquisition, reducing the obstruction, scattering, and absorption of near-infrared light by hair strands. The connection confirmation component 6 confirms the insertion and locking status of the connector 11 and socket 13 before acquisition, reducing transient noise and channel failure caused by poor contact. Therefore, this system establishes stable optical path conditions, skin contact conditions, and electrical connection conditions before acquisition, and then performs multi-channel near-infrared signal acquisition.

[0044] In a preferred data acquisition method, the external control processing unit 8 performs time-division driving, pulse driving, or encoding driving on multiple transmitters 31, and acquires the output signal of the corresponding receiver 32 within the corresponding time window to reduce optical crosstalk and electrical signal crosstalk between adjacent channels. The transmitter 31 can emit light with one or more near-infrared center wavelengths. When using at least two near-infrared lights with different center wavelengths, the external control processing unit 8 can calculate the changes in received light intensity based on the differences in the absorption characteristics of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin at different wavelengths, to obtain the relative trends of changes in oxyhemoglobin concentration, deoxyhemoglobin concentration, and / or total hemoglobin concentration within the measured area.

[0045] Specifically, after the external control processing unit 8 has completed wearing, hair-pulling, and confirmation of the corresponding channel connection, it first acquires the reference received light intensity in the resting state and uses this reference received light intensity as the reference light intensity for the corresponding channel. During the detection process, the external control processing unit 8 continuously or intermittently acquires the received light intensity in the task state, stimulation state, or movement state. For any wavelength, the external control processing unit 8 can calculate the optical density change value based on the change in received light intensity relative to the reference light intensity. This optical density change value is used to characterize the change in absorption of near-infrared light during propagation in the corresponding head region. When using multiple wavelengths, the external control processing unit 8 can convert the optical density change at different wavelengths into the relative concentration change of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin based on the modified Beer-Lambert relationship or other spectral conversion methods. The above signal processing methods are only optional implementation methods. The focus of protection of this invention is not limited to specific conversion algorithms, but rather to providing stable and repeatable physical acquisition conditions for near-infrared measurement through modular structure, fixed detection spacing, scalp curvature adaptation, hair-pulling mechanism, and connection confirmation mechanism.

[0046] A complete usage process of this system may include the following steps: First, the operator selects the positioning hole 10 to be activated according to the detection task, fixes multiple seats 14 to the corresponding positioning holes 10 of the head-mounted wearable device 9, and arranges the movable shell 27 through the positioning hole 10 towards the scalp; second, the head-mounted wearable device 9 is worn on the subject's head, so that each monitoring component 3 is located near the target brain region; then, by adjusting component 2, the movable shell 27 is slightly tilted with the curvature of the scalp, and the transmitter 31 and receiver 32 are brought close to the scalp along with the movable shell 27; the rotating ring 55 is pushed and rotated on the side of the head-mounted wearable device 9 away from the scalp, so that the auxiliary component 5 drives the prying component 4 to separate the hair near the transmitter 31 and receiver 32, and the lock block 57 connects with the scalp. The snap-fit ​​slot 58 remains in the snap-fit ​​state; then, the contact 12 of the connector 11 is inserted into the socket 13, and the drive ring 69 is rotated under the energized and limited state of the electromagnet 68, so that the protrusion 66 first triggers the contact switch 64. The external control processing unit 8 performs connection verification on the corresponding channel according to the trigger state of the contact switch 64; when the connection verification is passed, the external control processing unit 8 controls the electromagnet 68 to release the restriction on the drive ring 69, and the operator continues to rotate the drive ring 69, so that the protrusion 66 enters the limiting space between the crossbeam 65 and the annular protrusion 63 and completes the fixation; finally, the external control processing unit 8 drives multiple transmitters 31 to emit light according to the predetermined acquisition sequence, and acquires the output signals of multiple receivers 32 to form multi-channel near-infrared brain functional imaging data.

[0047] After multiple monitoring components 3 have completed their attachment, transmission, insertion, and status confirmation, the external control and processing unit 8 can synchronously acquire, filter, perform baseline correction, calculate optical density changes, and calculate relative concentration changes of the received signals from multiple channels. Based on the positions of the positioning holes 10 on the head-mounted wearable device 9, it maps the blood oxygenation data from multiple channels to different areas of the subject's head. This generates multi-channel near-infrared brain functional imaging results reflecting the trends of blood oxygenation dynamics in different brain regions. These imaging results are used to characterize the relative changes in blood oxygenation and functional activity trends in the tested area and are not directly limited to disease diagnosis conclusions.

[0048] Through the above structure and working process, before near-infrared signal acquisition, this system first establishes a stable source-detector geometric relationship using a fixed-spacing bridge 33, establishes a scalp curvature adaptation state using an adjustment component 2, establishes a hair separation state using a toggle component 4 and an auxiliary component 5, and establishes an electrical connection and locking confirmation state using an interface component 1 and a connection confirmation component 6. Then, an external control and processing unit 8 performs multi-channel near-infrared driving and photoelectric signal acquisition. Therefore, this system can improve the consistency and repeatability of near-infrared brain function imaging data in terms of detection spacing, skin contact posture, hair occlusion, electrical connection reliability, and multi-channel acquisition timing.

[0049] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system, characterized in that, It includes multiple interface components (1), multiple monitoring components (3), an external control processing unit (8), and multiple wires (7); The interface component (1) includes a connector (11), a contact (12), a socket (13), and a base (14). Multiple connectors (11) are connected to the external control processing unit (8) via wires (7). The contact (12) is connected to the connector (11). The socket (13) is located on the base (14). The contact (12) is plugged into the socket (13). The monitoring component (3) includes a transmitter (31), a receiver (32), and a fixed-spacing bridge (33). The transmitter (31) and the receiver (32) are located below the base (14). The fixed-spacing bridge (33) connects the transmitter (31) and the receiver (32). The socket (13) is electrically connected to the transmitter (31) and the receiver (32) respectively, so that the external control processing unit (8) can drive the transmitter (31) and collect the output signal of the receiver (32) through the wire (7), the connector (11), the contact (12) and the socket (13).

2. The multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed-spacing bridge (33) is a rigid bridge body. One end of the fixed-spacing bridge (33) is connected to the transmitter (31), and the other end of the fixed-spacing bridge (33) is connected to the receiver (32). The transmitter (31) and the receiver (32) maintain a preset detection spacing during use.

3. The multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an adjustment assembly (2), which includes a frame (21), a ball joint (22), a spherical seat (24), a pad (25), and a movable shell (27); The frame (21) is connected to the bottom of the seat (14), the spherical seat (24) is connected to the frame (21), the ball joint (22) is slidably engaged with the inner wall of the spherical seat (24), the ball joint (22) is connected to the pad (25), and the outer wall of the pad (25) is connected to the inner side of the movable shell (27).

4. The multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmitting end (31), the receiving end (32) and the fixed-spacing bridge (33) are all connected to the movable shell (27), and the movable shell (27) can swing relative to the spherical seat (24) through the ball joint (22).

5. The multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes two toggle assemblies (4), each of which includes a rod (41), a rubber strip (42), a connecting plate (43), and a main shaft (44). The two rods (41) are each connected to a rubber strip (42), and the two rubber strips (42) are arranged opposite to each other. The rods (41) are connected to the main shaft (44) through the connecting plate (43), and the main shaft (44) is rotatably connected to the lower part of the movable shell (27). The two rubber strips (42) can rotate with the corresponding rods (41) to push aside the hair below the transmitter (31) and the receiver (32).

6. The multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The actuating assembly (4) also includes a torsion spring (45), which is sleeved on the main shaft (44). The two ends of the torsion spring (45) are respectively connected to the inner side of the main shaft (44) and the movable housing (27).

7. The multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a connection confirmation component (6), which includes an extension rod (61), two limiting plates (62), an annular protrusion (63), a crossbeam (65), a protrusion (66), and a drive ring (69). The annular protrusion (63) is connected to the lower outer wall of the seat (14). The crossbeam (65) is connected to the annular protrusion (63) through a connecting part. The crossbeam (65) is arranged around the circumference of the seat (14). The bottom of the crossbeam (65) is spaced apart from the top of the annular protrusion (63), thereby forming a limiting space between the crossbeam (65) and the annular protrusion (63) to accommodate the movement of the protrusion (66). The two limiting plates (62) are connected to the outer wall of the seat (14). The two limiting plates (62) are used to guide the protrusion (66) into the limiting space. The drive ring (69) is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the connector (11). The extension rod (61) is connected to the drive ring (69). The protrusion (66) is connected to the extension rod (61).

8. The multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connection confirmation component (6) further includes a contact switch (64), which is disposed between the two limiting plates (62) and located on the entrance side of the limiting space. The contact switch (64) is electrically connected to the external control processing unit (8), and the protrusion (66) can trigger the contact switch (64) before entering the limiting space.

9. The multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The external control processing unit (8) can initiate the connection test of the corresponding interface component (1) according to the trigger state of the contact switch (64), and the external control processing unit (8) determines the electrical connection state between the contact (12) and the socket (13) according to the connection test result.

10. The multi-channel modular near-infrared brain functional imaging system according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a head-mounted wearable device (9) and multiple positioning holes (10), the multiple positioning holes (10) being formed on the head-mounted wearable device (9), the seat (14) being connected to the positioning holes (10) via a connecting frame, and the movable shell (27) passing through the positioning holes (10).

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