Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Brain Function Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack effective and accessible means for individuals to monitor brain health, detect decreased or interrupted blood flow, and predict memory impairment before the onset of physical symptoms, leading to delayed medical attention and potential disabilities or death.

Innovation Solution

A method using near-infrared spectroscopy to measure ions and molecules in the brain, comparing baseline and subsequent measurements to predict the likelihood of memory impairment by assessing the probability of neuron action potential generation, and a computer system to visualize and alert individuals to circulatory changes, enabling early medical intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If MRI or CT imaging technologies are used to rule out cerebral pathologies, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but device complexity and accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (MRI, CT) with a non-invasive optical measurement system that uses near-infrared spectroscopy to detect brain function and memory impairment indicators through the skull, eliminating the need for expensive and complex imaging equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by detecting physiological parameters (such as oxygen saturation, blood flow) in accessible body parts that correlate with brain function, serving as a mediator between direct brain imaging and external observation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If medical professionals conduct imaging studies to visualize vasculature, then detection capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables individuals to perform self-diagnosis and monitoring of their own brain health and memory function using portable devices, eliminating the need for medical professionals to conduct imaging studies and making the detection process accessible to anyone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces professional medical imaging procedures with simple optical measurements that can be performed by individuals themselves using portable devices, substituting complex medical procedures with user-friendly optical detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If individuals wait for physical symptoms to manifest before seeking medical attention, then loss of time is reduced, but reliability of early detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to seek medical attentionVSAvoidearly detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary detection of brain function decline and memory impairment before physical symptoms appear by continuously monitoring physiological parameters, allowing individuals to seek medical attention earlier in the disease progression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides continuous feedback on brain health status through portable monitoring devices, allowing individuals to track changes in their cognitive function over time and seek medical attention when abnormalities are detected, rather than waiting for symptom manifestation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables individuals to monitor their brain health and detect potential memory impairment and circulatory issues early, prompting timely medical attention and potentially preventing lasting disabilities or death.

Implementation Method 1

using a near infrared spectroscopic device on an individual at an anatomical region to be studied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-infrared spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS10791982B2Methods of measuring head, neck, and brain function and predicting and diagnosing memory impairment

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 LITTELL STEPHANIE

AI summary

A computer based method and system forms measurements of brain function and predictions of a likelihood for memory impairment via the use of cameras, including a near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic device and a camera capturing images in the Red-Green-Blue (RGB) spectrum. The device acquires from a subject measurements of ions, molecules, or combinations thereof at more than one moment in time, as well as amplitude and timing of blood pulsations. Based on the measured molecule or ion concentration, flow, and so forth, a processor assesses the probability of a neuron to form an action potential. Formation of an action potential increases the probability that the subject individual will create a memory.