Probe for near-infrared brain function imaging equipment and near-infrared brain function imaging equipment cooperatively used with transcranial magnetic stimulation equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a probe for near-infrared brain function imaging equipment and the near-infrared brain function imaging equipment cooperatively used with transcranial magnetic stimulation equipment. The probe comprises an optical fiber part and an installation part. The optical fiber part is used for transmitting near-infrared light. A containing cavity at least containing the light-emitting end of the optical fiber piece is formed in the installation piece, the containing cavity is provided with a wire inlet and a wire outlet which are communicated, and the light-emitting end of the optical fiber piece is used for entering the containing cavity through the wire inlet and extending to the wire outlet. The longitudinal size of the wire inlet is configured to enable the wire inlet to at least apply extrusion force to the optical fiber piece with the longitudinal size exceeding a first threshold value, and the longitudinal thickness of the installation piece is not larger than 8 mm. According to the probe, the longitudinal thickness of the mounting part can be reduced as much as possible by applying extrusion force to the optical fiber part, so that the longitudinal thickness of the mounting part is not greater than 8mm, and interference caused by relatively large longitudinal thickness of the probe when the probe of the near-infrared brain function imaging equipment is combined with other brain action equipment is reduced as much as possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of near-infrared brain functional imaging technology, and in particular to a probe for a near-infrared brain functional imaging device and a near-infrared brain functional imaging device used in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device. Background Technology

[0002] Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a mature non-destructive testing technology that monitors brain activity by detecting near-infrared light absorbed by oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb). In some specific scenarios, fiber optic cables are used to transmit the near-infrared light emitted by the fNIRS device's light source to a probe mounted on a headgear. When the headgear is worn on the user's head, the probe transmits the near-infrared light to the scalp. For example, fNIRS devices are used in MRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation scenarios to avoid interference between the probe's components and the magnetic field environment. In addition to using optical fibers to transmit near-infrared light, in some special scenarios, it is also necessary to minimize the longitudinal thickness of the probe. For example, using an ultra-thin probe can reduce the pressure on the user's head when performing fNIRS testing in a lying position during MRI. Another example is in scenarios where TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) devices and fNIRS devices are used in conjunction. If the probe is too thick, the stimulation effect of the TMS device on the user's head will be greatly weakened due to the thickness of the near-infrared probe, resulting in the TMS stimulation not being able to effectively reach the deep nuclei of the brain, thus affecting the therapeutic effect of the TMS device. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems in the prior art, this application provides a probe for a near-infrared brain functional imaging device and a near-infrared brain functional imaging device used in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device. When the longitudinal dimension of the optical fiber exceeds a first threshold, the device can apply a compressive force to the optical fiber to reduce the longitudinal thickness of the device as much as possible, ensuring that the longitudinal thickness of the device is no more than 8 mm. This minimizes interference caused by the relatively thick longitudinal thickness of the probe when the near-infrared brain functional imaging device is used in conjunction with other brain stimulation devices.

[0004] This application provides a probe for a near-infrared brain functional imaging device. The probe includes an optical fiber and a mounting component. The optical fiber is used to transmit near-infrared light. The mounting component has a receiving cavity formed within it, accommodating at least the light-emitting end of the optical fiber. The receiving cavity has a communicating inlet and outlet. The light-emitting end of the optical fiber enters the receiving cavity through the inlet and extends towards the outlet. The longitudinal dimension of the inlet is configured such that it applies a compressive force to the optical fiber whose longitudinal dimension exceeds a first threshold, and the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component is no greater than 8 mm.

[0005] In some embodiments, the inlet is configured as a flat opening, which is used to allow the optical fiber to be stretched out to both sides under force.

[0006] In some embodiments, the mounting component is used to mount on the head cap of the near-infrared brain functional imaging device. The mounting component includes a probe mounting portion and a limiting portion. The probe mounting portion is used to abut against the outer side of the head cap, and the limiting portion is used to abut against the inner side of the head cap. The outer contour dimension of the probe mounting portion is smaller than the outer contour dimension of the limiting portion.

[0007] In some embodiments, the device further includes a through-hole, the probe mounting part being connected to the limiting part through the through-hole, the through-hole being inserted through the mounting hole of the cap, and the distance between the outer edge of the through-hole being and the outer edge of the limiting part being not less than 2 mm.

[0008] In some embodiments, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the inlet is one of the following: rectangular, trapezoidal, and elliptical.

[0009] In some embodiments, the limiting portion extends in a direction away from the probe mounting portion to form a protrusion, the protruding end of the protrusion is used to abut against the head, and the light-emitting end of the optical fiber is correspondingly disposed with the protrusion.

[0010] In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the inlet ranges from 1 mm to 3 mm.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first threshold ranges from 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the probe is used in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device or an MRI device.

[0013] This application also provides a near-infrared brain functional imaging device for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, including the probe described above for the near-infrared brain functional imaging device.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application are as follows: By setting the longitudinal dimension of the inlet, this application can apply a squeezing force to the optical fiber component whose longitudinal dimension exceeds a first threshold. In this way, the optical fiber component can be expanded to both sides under force, thereby reducing the longitudinal dimension and making the longitudinal thickness of the device no more than 8mm. This allows the inlet to accommodate optical fiber components with a large longitudinal dimension while minimizing the longitudinal thickness of the device as much as possible. That is, by applying a squeezing force to the optical fiber component, the longitudinal thickness of the device can be reduced as much as possible. This minimizes the interference caused by the thick longitudinal thickness of the probe when the near-infrared brain functional imaging device probe is used in conjunction with other brain-stimulating devices. For example, in the scenario where the near-infrared brain functional imaging device and the transcranial magnetic stimulation device are used together, the probe can bring the transcranial magnetic stimulation device closer to the scalp to apply stimulation. This allows the stimulation applied by the transcranial magnetic stimulation device to effectively act on the deep brain nuclei. Without affecting the detection of the near-infrared brain functional imaging device, the treatment effect of the TMS device is greatly improved. Attached Figure Description

[0015] In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same reference numerals may describe similar parts in different views. The drawings generally illustrate various embodiments by way of example rather than limitation and are used, together with the description and claims, to illustrate the disclosed embodiments. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used in all drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Such embodiments are illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive embodiments of the apparatus or method.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a probe used in a near-infrared brain functional imaging device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a probe used in a near-infrared brain functional imaging device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mounting component for a probe used in a near-infrared brain functional imaging device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the mounting component for a probe used in a near-infrared brain functional imaging device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0020] The components indicated by the reference numerals in the figure:

[0021] 1. Fiber optic component; 2. Mounting component; 21. Probe mounting part; 22. Limiting part; 23. Through part; 24. Protrusion part; 25. Mounting body; 26. Cover; 3. Receiving cavity; 31. Inlet; 32. Outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this application, the application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific examples, but these are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0023] The terms "first," "second," and similar words used in this application do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different parts. Words such as "including" or "contains" mean that the element preceding the word encompasses the element listed after it, and do not exclude the possibility of encompassing other elements as well. Terms such as "above," "below," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, this relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0024] In this application, when a specific device is described as being located between a first device and a second device, an intermediary device may or may not be present between the specific device and the first or second device. When a specific device is described as being connected to other devices, the specific device may be directly connected to the other devices without an intermediary device, or it may not be directly connected to the other devices but may have an intermediary device.

[0025] All terms used in this application (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not as having an idealized or highly formalized meaning, unless expressly defined herein.

[0026] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0027] This application provides a probe for a near-infrared brain functional imaging device. For example... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the probe for a near-infrared brain functional imaging device includes an optical fiber 1 and a mounting component 2. The optical fiber 1 is used to transmit near-infrared light. The mounting component 2 has a receiving cavity 3 formed therein, which accommodates at least the light-emitting end of the optical fiber 1. The receiving cavity 3 has a connected inlet 31 and outlet 32. The light-emitting end of the optical fiber 1 is used to enter the receiving cavity 3 through the inlet 31 and extend toward the outlet 32. The longitudinal dimension of the inlet 31 is configured such that the inlet 31 applies a compressive force to the optical fiber 1 whose longitudinal dimension exceeds a first threshold, and the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2 is not greater than 8 mm.

[0028] Understandably, when the longitudinal dimension of the optical fiber component 1 does not exceed the first threshold, the inlet 31 will not apply longitudinal compressive force to the optical fiber component 1. At this time, the optical fiber component 1 will also be laid out in the transverse direction of the inlet 1 under the action of the inner wall of the inlet 1, so as to disperse the effect of the internal force of the optical fiber component 1, avoid the optical fiber component 1 located at the bottom being subjected to concentrated force when bent, which would cause the optical fiber component 1 to break, and further protect the optical fiber component 1.

[0029] The aforementioned probe can be installed on a head-mounted device of a near-infrared brain functional imaging system, allowing the near-infrared light emitted by the probe's fiber optic component 1 to illuminate the head. When the probe is used in contact with the scalp, the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2 can be understood as the longitudinal distance between the upper surface of the mounting component 2 and the scalp. Specifically, this can be combined with... Figure 2 , Figure 2 The distance A shown in the figure is the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2.

[0030] The aforementioned optical fiber component 1 can be a flexible optical fiber, which has high flexibility and bendability, and can adapt to various complex application environments while maintaining optical performance.

[0031] In this way, when the light-emitting end of the optical fiber component 1 enters the receiving cavity 3 through the inlet 31 and extends towards the outlet 32, the normal use of the optical fiber component 1 is ensured, and the problem of affecting the service life of the optical fiber component 1 due to the need for the optical fiber component 1 to be bent by force is avoided.

[0032] The aforementioned device 2 can be formed as a single piece, or it can consist of multiple components assembled from these components. This application does not impose any specific limitations on this, as long as it facilitates the assembly of the aforementioned optical fiber component 1. The following description will use the device 2, which includes the device body 25 and the cover 26, as an example for specific details, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0033] The aforementioned receiving cavity 3 can be understood as a through cavity, with the inlet 31 and outlet 32 ​​connected to each other, so that the optical fiber 1 can pass through the inlet 31 into the receiving cavity 3 and extend through the receiving cavity 3 to the outlet 32.

[0034] The outlet 32 ​​of the aforementioned accommodating cavity 3 can be understood as an opening structure corresponding to the light-emitting end of the optical fiber 1. The light-emitting end of the optical fiber 1 can extend through the accommodating cavity 3 to the outlet 32, or it can be located inside the accommodating cavity 3.

[0035] The aforementioned fiber optic component 1 with a longitudinal dimension exceeding the first threshold can be understood as at least a fiber optic component 1 with a dimension larger than the longitudinal dimension of the inlet 31. This fiber optic component 1 is squeezed and accommodated within the inlet 31. It should be noted that the squeezing force applied to the inlet 31 will not damage the fiber optic component 1. Therefore, by limiting the longitudinal dimension of the fiber optic component 1 accommodated in the inlet 31 to a certain range, it is ensured that the fiber optic component 1 will not be damaged, and a more appropriate squeezing force can be applied. In this way, the fiber optic component can be stretched to both sides under force to reduce the longitudinal dimension, so as to minimize the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2.

[0036] The longitudinal thickness of the aforementioned mounting component 2 may not exceed 8mm, for example, the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2 may be 8mm, 7mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, 5mm, 4mm, etc.

[0037] In some embodiments, the probe further includes a sheath (not shown in the figure), which is connected to the inlet 31 of the device 2 and sleeved over the fiber optic component 1. Thus, by providing the sheath, the portion of the fiber optic component 1 located outside the device 2 can be better protected, thereby extending the service life of the fiber optic component 1.

[0038] When the probe of a near-infrared brain functional imaging device is used in conjunction with other brain-acting devices, the action surface of the brain-acting device is generally located on the side of the probe furthest from the head. That is, the probe is located between the head and the action surface of the brain-acting device. By setting the longitudinal dimension of the inlet 31, the inlet 31 can apply a squeezing force to the optical fiber 1 whose longitudinal dimension exceeds a first threshold, ensuring that the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2 is no more than 8mm. This effectively reduces the distance between the action surface and the head, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of the brain-acting device. Here, the brain-acting device can be understood as a device that can be used in conjunction with the near-infrared brain functional imaging device, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, an MRI device, or a magnetoencephalography (MEG) device. In the case of a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, the aforementioned action surface can be understood as the surface of the stimulation coil of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device.

[0039] This application, by setting the longitudinal dimension of the inlet 31, allows the inlet 31 to apply a compressive force to the optical fiber 1 whose longitudinal dimension exceeds a first threshold. This force causes the optical fiber to expand to both sides, reducing its longitudinal dimension and ensuring that the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2 is no greater than 8mm. This allows the inlet 31 to accommodate the optical fiber 1 with its large longitudinal dimension while minimizing the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2. In other words, by applying compressive force to the optical fiber 1, the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2 can be reduced as much as possible. This minimizes interference caused by the thick longitudinal thickness of the probe when the near-infrared brain functional imaging device is used in conjunction with other brain-stimulating devices. For example, in scenarios where near-infrared brain functional imaging devices and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices are used in tandem, the probe allows the TMS device to be closer to the scalp for stimulation, enabling the stimulation to effectively reach deep brain nuclei. This significantly improves the therapeutic effect of the TMS device without affecting the near-infrared brain functional imaging device's detection.

[0040] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the inlet 31 is constructed as a flat opening, which is used to allow the optical fiber component 1 to be stretched to both sides under force.

[0041] In this way, the flat inlet 31 can be used to allow the optical fiber 1 to expand to both sides under force, thereby flattening the optical fiber 1. The flat inlet can also press the optical fiber 1 relatively gently, so as to apply a more appropriate squeezing force to the optical fiber 1 and avoid damaging the optical fiber 1.

[0042] The aforementioned flat opening causes the optical fiber component 1 to expand to both sides under pressure. This can be understood as the optical fiber component 1 being able to expand along the length of the flat opening after being subjected to the compressive force applied by the flat opening. This can achieve the purpose of dispersing the compressive force on the optical fiber component 1, avoiding the problem of concentrated force on some parts of the optical fiber component 1, and thus protecting the optical fiber component 1 and preventing it from breaking.

[0043] Understandably, when the longitudinal dimension of the optical fiber component 1 does not exceed the first threshold, the flat opening will not apply longitudinal compressive force to the optical fiber component 1. At this time, the optical fiber component 1 will still be laid out flat along the length of the flat opening under the action of the inner wall of the flat opening, so as to disperse the effect of the internal force of the optical fiber component 1 and avoid the optical fiber component 1 located at the lower position from being subjected to concentrated force when bending, which would cause the optical fiber component 1 to break, thus further protecting the optical fiber component 1.

[0044] The surface of the flat opening that contacts the optical fiber component 1 can be constructed as an arc-shaped surface or as a plane. This application does not specifically limit the shape of the surface of the flat opening that contacts the optical fiber component 1, as long as it can be used to accommodate the optical fiber component 1.

[0045] In some embodiments, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the inlet 31 is one of the following: rectangular, trapezoidal, and elliptical. Specifically, this can be combined with 3... Figure 3 The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the inlet 31 shown is rectangular.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the mounting part 2 is used to be mounted on the head cap of the near-infrared brain functional imaging device. The mounting part 2 includes a probe mounting part 21 and a limiting part 22. The probe mounting part 21 is used to abut against the outer side of the head cap, and the limiting part 22 is used to abut against the inner side of the head cap. The outer contour dimension of the probe mounting part 21 is smaller than the outer contour dimension of the limiting part 22.

[0047] In this way, the position of the device 2 on the headgear can be limited by the limiting part 22. Furthermore, the outer contour size of the probe mounting part 21 is smaller than that of the limiting part 22. This not only enables the miniaturization of the probe mounting part 21, but also minimizes the overall structure of the device 2 while accommodating the fiber optic component 1. The limiting part 22, with its larger outer contour size, also allows the device 2 to be mounted more stably on the headgear, preventing it from falling off during use.

[0048] The outer contour of the probe mounting part 21 can be understood as the side of the probe mounting part 21 away from the optical fiber component 1, which can be specifically referred to in conjunction with... Figure 2 , Figure 2 The distance B shown is the gap between the outer contour of the probe mounting part 21 and the outer contour of the limiting part 22.

[0049] The outer contour shape of the probe mounting part 21 and the outer contour shape of the limiting part 22 may be the same or different. This application does not specifically limit the outer contour shape of the probe mounting part 21 and the outer contour shape of the limiting part 22, such as disc shape, rectangular plate shape, etc.

[0050] For example, the outer contours of both the probe mounting portion 21 and the limiting portion 22 are disc-shaped. The diameter of the limiting portion 22 can range from 10mm to 15mm, preferably 11mm, 11.6mm, 12mm, 12.6mm, 13mm, 13.6mm, 14mm, 14.6mm, etc. The diameter of the probe mounting portion 21 can range from 8mm to 12mm, preferably 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, etc.

[0051] The aforementioned limiting part 22 has an abutting surface that abuts against the inner side of the head cap. The abutting surface can be adapted to the inner side of the head cap to increase the contact area between the limiting part 22 and the head cap and improve the installation stability of the limiting part 22.

[0052] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, the device 2 also includes a through part 23. The probe mounting part 21 is connected to the limiting part 22 through the through part 23. The through part 23 can be inserted into the mounting hole of the head cap. The distance between the outer edge of the through part 23 and the outer edge of the limiting part 22 is not less than 2mm.

[0053] In this way, by setting the distance between the outer edge of the through part 23 and the outer edge of the limiting part 22 to be not less than 2mm, the limiting part 22 can abut against the inner side of the head cap more, thereby improving the contact stability between the limiting part 22 and the head cap, and allowing the mounting part 2 to be mounted more stably on the head cap.

[0054] Specifically, it can be combined with Figure 4 , Figure 4 The distance C shown is the distance between the outer edge of the through part 23 and the outer edge of the limiting part 22.

[0055] The distance between the outer edge of the through part 23 and the outer edge of the limiting part 22 can be no less than 3mm, preferably 3.8mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 6.7mm, 7mm, 9mm, 11mm, 13.5mm, etc.

[0056] The longitudinal height of the aforementioned penetrating part 23 can be adapted to the thickness of the headgear so that the longitudinal thickness of the device 2 can be reduced as much as possible, so as to minimize the interference caused by the thick longitudinal thickness of the probe when the probe is used in conjunction with other brain-processing devices.

[0057] The shape of the through part 23 may be the same as or different from the shape of the limiting part 22. This application does not specifically limit the shape of the through part 23 and the shape of the limiting part 22, such as a disc shape, a rectangular plate shape, etc.

[0058] For example, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, both the through-hole portion 23 and the limiting portion 22 are disc-shaped. The diameter of the through-hole portion 23 can range from 4 mm to 8 mm, preferably 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, etc.

[0059] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the device 2 includes a detachably connected device body 25 and a cover 26, which cooperate to form a receiving cavity 3. The device body 25 has a communicating upper opening and a lower opening. The cover 26 is fastened to the upper opening of the device body 25. The lower opening of the device body 25 is the outlet 32 ​​of the receiving cavity 3. An inlet 31 of the receiving cavity 3 is formed between the cover 26 and the upper opening of the device body 25. The aforementioned probe mounting part 21, through part 23, and limiting part 22 are sequentially connected to form the device body 25.

[0060] Thus, the detachable mounting body 25 and cover 26 can be used to open or close the accommodating cavity 3, which facilitates the operation of the optical fiber component 1 by opening the accommodating cavity 3, such as bending, inserting, or removing the optical fiber component 1. This ensures that the optical fiber component 1 is protected as much as possible during operation and helps to extend the service life of the optical fiber component 1.

[0061] The aforementioned mounting body 25 can be understood as having an open upper part, forming an upper opening of the mounting body 25. When the cover 26 is not fastened to the upper opening of the mounting body 25, the inlet 31 can be understood as being open, to facilitate the insertion of the optical fiber component 1 into the receiving cavity 3. After the optical fiber component 1 is installed in place, the cover 26 is then fastened to the upper opening of the mounting body 25 to complete the installation between the optical fiber component 1 and the mounting component 2.

[0062] Specifically, the upper part of the mounting body 25 extends outward to form a U-shaped groove, i.e., an upper opening, and the cover 26 is fastened above the U-shaped groove, so that an inlet 31 is formed between the cover 26 and the U-shaped groove.

[0063] The orientations of the aforementioned inlet 31 and outlet 32 ​​are different, specifically, as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the orientation of the inlet 31 and outlet 32 ​​can be perpendicular.

[0064] A solidified structure encapsulating the optical fiber 1 can be formed within the aforementioned receiving cavity 3. This solidified structure allows the optical fiber 1 to be stably and firmly fixed within the receiving cavity 3, ensuring both the structural strength of the optical fiber 1 and increasing its placement stability, thereby guaranteeing the validity of the data acquired by the probe. The solidified structure can be made of a material capable of transitioning from a liquid or semi-liquid state to a solid state, such as epoxy resin.

[0065] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the limiting part 22 extends away from the probe mounting part 21 to form a protrusion 24. The protruding end of the protrusion 24 is used to abut against the head, and the light-emitting end of the optical fiber 1 is correspondingly provided with the protrusion 24.

[0066] In this way, the protrusion 24 can make the device 2 stably abut against the head. In particular, the protrusion 24 can be used to move the hair so that the device 2 can be inserted into the hair and make closer contact with the scalp. This allows the light-emitting end of the optical fiber 1 in the device 2 to be closer to the head, thus improving the effectiveness of the probe.

[0067] The protrusion 24 facing the head can be constructed as a flat or curved surface to allow it to better fit the head, thus ensuring a good fit between the probe and the head. Understandably, the longitudinal dimension of the protrusion 24 should not be too large to avoid excessively increasing the thickness of the mounting component 2.

[0068] In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the inlet 31 ranges from 1 mm to 3 mm.

[0069] Preferably, the longitudinal dimension of the inlet 31 can be 1.2mm, 1.6mm, 2mm, 2.4mm, 2.8mm, etc.

[0070] In some embodiments, the first threshold ranges from 1 mm to 5 mm. Furthermore, the first threshold is greater than the longitudinal dimension of the inlet 31.

[0071] Preferably, the first threshold can be 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.2mm, 4mm, 5mm, etc.

[0072] In some preferred embodiments, the probe is used in a magnetic field environment, for example, in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, an MRI device, or a magnetoencephalography (MEG) device.

[0073] This expands the applicable scenarios for probes used in near-infrared brain functional imaging (NIRS) devices. For example, in scenarios where NIRS devices and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices are used in conjunction, the probe allows the TMS device to be closer to the scalp to apply stimulation, enabling the stimulation to effectively reach deep brain nuclei. In scenarios where NIRS devices and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices are used in conjunction, the probe described in any of the above embodiments can reduce the pressure on the user's head during fNIRS testing in a lying position under MRI conditions, thus reducing user discomfort during the combined use of NIRS devices and MRI.

[0074] This application also provides a near-infrared brain functional imaging device for use in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, including the probe for near-infrared brain functional imaging devices described in any of the above embodiments.

[0075] The near-infrared brain functional imaging device used in conjunction with the transcranial magnetic stimulation device may also include a head cap, and the mounting component 2 may be mounted on the mounting hole of the head cap so as to limit the position of the mounting component 2 through the mounting hole on the head cap.

[0076] The near-infrared brain functional imaging device using the above-mentioned probe in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device can apply a squeezing force to the fiber optic component 1 whose longitudinal dimension exceeds a first threshold by setting the longitudinal dimension of the inlet 31. This ensures that the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2 is no more than 8 mm, so that the inlet 31 can accommodate the fiber optic component 1 with a large longitudinal dimension while minimizing the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2. In other words, by applying a squeezing force to the fiber optic component 1, the longitudinal thickness of the mounting component 2 can be reduced as much as possible. This minimizes the interference caused by the relatively thick longitudinal thickness of the probe when the near-infrared brain functional imaging device is used in conjunction with other brain-stimulating devices. For example, in the scenario where the near-infrared brain functional imaging device and the TMS device are used in conjunction, the above-mentioned probe can bring the TMS device closer to the scalp to apply stimulation, so that the stimulation applied by the TMS device can effectively act on the deep brain nuclei. This greatly improves the therapeutic effect of the TMS device without affecting the detection of the near-infrared brain functional imaging device.

[0077] Furthermore, although exemplary embodiments have been described herein, their scope includes any and all embodiments based on this application that have equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., schemes involving intersections of various embodiments), adaptations, or alterations. Elements in the claims will be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims and are not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the implementation of this application, and such examples will be interpreted as non-exclusive.

[0078] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above examples (or one or more of them) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments may be used by those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. Furthermore, in the above detailed description, various features may be grouped together to simplify the application. This should not be construed as an intention that a disclosed feature not claimed is necessary for any claim. Rather, the subject matter of the application may be less than all the features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims are incorporated herein by reference as examples or embodiments, wherein each claim is an independent, separate embodiment, and these embodiments are contemplated as being combined with each other in various combinations or arrangements. The scope of this application should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents.

[0079] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. The scope of protection of this application is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to this application within its substance and scope of protection, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A probe for near-infrared brain functional imaging equipment, characterized in that, include: Fiber optic components, used to transmit near-infrared light; An apparatus having a cavity for accommodating at least the light-emitting end of the optical fiber, the cavity having a connected inlet and outlet, the light-emitting end of the optical fiber being used to enter the cavity through the inlet and extend toward the outlet, the longitudinal dimension of the inlet being configured to apply a compressive force to the optical fiber with a longitudinal dimension exceeding a first threshold, and to ensure that the longitudinal thickness of the apparatus is not greater than 8 mm.

2. The probe for near-infrared brain functional imaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet is constructed as a flat opening, which is used to allow the optical fiber to be stretched out to both sides under force.

3. The probe for near-infrared brain functional imaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting component is used to mount on the head cap of the near-infrared brain functional imaging device. The mounting component includes a probe mounting part and a limiting part. The probe mounting part is used to abut against the outer side of the head cap, and the limiting part is used to abut against the inner side of the head cap. The outer contour dimension of the probe mounting part is smaller than the outer contour dimension of the limiting part.

4. The probe for near-infrared brain functional imaging equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The device also includes a through-hole, the probe mounting part is connected to the limiting part through the through-hole, the through-hole passes through the mounting hole of the cap, and the distance between the outer edge of the through-hole and the outer edge of the limiting part is not less than 2mm.

5. The probe for a near-infrared brain functional imaging device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the inlet is one of the following: rectangular, trapezoidal, or elliptical.

6. The probe for near-infrared brain functional imaging equipment according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The limiting part extends away from the probe mounting part to form a protrusion, the protruding end of the protrusion is used to abut against the head, and the light-emitting end of the optical fiber is correspondingly arranged with the protrusion.

7. The probe for near-infrared brain functional imaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The longitudinal dimension of the inlet port ranges from 1 mm to 3 mm.

8. The probe for near-infrared brain functional imaging equipment according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that, The first threshold ranges from 1 mm to 5 mm.

9. The probe for a near-infrared brain functional imaging device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The probe is used in magnetic field environments.

10. A near-infrared brain functional imaging device used in conjunction with a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, characterized in that, Including a probe for a near-infrared brain functional imaging device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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