NIRS Brain Function Measurement for Precise Rest-State Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing near-infrared spectroscopy methods struggle to accurately quantify brain function at rest due to challenges in detecting small valid activities, comparing multiple sites, defining resting states, and measuring optical path lengths, leading to difficulties in real-time quantification and precise evaluation of brain activity.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy to compute time course changes of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin, employing 2-dimensional diagrams to obtain zero-set vectors and calculate parameters based on vector directions and scalars, enabling precise quantification of brain function at rest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional NIRS methods are used to measure brain oxygen noninvasively, then portability and real-time measurement are achieved, but measurement precision and ability to detect small valid activities at rest deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the conventional one-dimensional NIRS measurement (single optical path) into a two-dimensional measurement system by introducing multiple light emitting parts and light receiving parts arranged in different positions. This creates multiple optical paths that can be combined to achieve both portability and improved measurement precision for detecting small brain activities at rest.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple segments (multiple light emitting parts and light receiving parts) rather than using a single measurement path. This segmentation allows the system to maintain portability while improving measurement precision through the combination of multiple optical path measurements.
2Measurement precision
If optical CT method is used to obtain accurate oxygen saturation information to brain depths, then measurement precision improves, but light absorption in skull and brain surface causes loss of information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple optical paths as intermediaries to measure brain oxygen saturation. Instead of relying on a single deep-penetration path that suffers from light absorption, the system uses multiple shallower paths that collectively provide accurate oxygen saturation information without significant light loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines measurements from multiple optical paths to achieve accurate oxygen saturation information. By merging the data from multiple light emitting and receiving part combinations, the system overcomes the light absorption problem while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple light emitting parts and light receiving parts are arranged in different positions, then measurement precision and quantification capability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the multiple light emitting parts and light receiving parts to serve universal functions. Each component can participate in multiple measurement optical paths, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision and quantification capability without proportionally increasing device complexity. The same components are reused across different measurement configurations.
4Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used to define resting state, then ease of operation is maintained, but ability to differentiate rest from activation tasks and quantitative mapping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to resting state definition by using multiple optical paths and calculating composite measurement values. Instead of relying on simple baseline definitions, the system uses multi-dimensional data from multiple light emitting and receiving part combinations to quantitatively differentiate resting state from activation tasks, maintaining ease of operation while improving measurement precision.
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 real-time neurofeedback, improved brain-computer interface, quantitative mapping of brain function, and detailed classification of brain states, allowing for precise detection and differentiation between rest and activation tasks.
Implementation Method 1
a method was advocated by F. F. Jobsis in 1977, in which the brain is irradiated with weak near-infrared rays (680-1300 nanometers) through the skull from outside the scalp to measure concentration change amounts of oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb, HbO2) and concentration change amounts of deoxyhemoglobin (DeoxyHb, Hb) in blood in the brain surface
Implementation Method 2
by the time the light passed to the brain surface, through the skull and into the brain, it was absorbed and was of no practical use
Data Source
AI summary
Problem To provide an apparatus for evaluating biological function, and a method and a program for evaluating biological function, for the purpose of measuring and quantifying biological function, to make possible the quantification of measured values concerning brain characteristics at time of rest.Means for resolution The apparatus for evaluating biological function (1) is [an apparatus] that utilizes the near-infrared spectroscopy method to evaluate biological function; measuring part 5 computes time course change amounts of oxyhemoglobin and time course change amounts of deoxyhemoglobin, based on light information from detecting parts 4; and it has a computing part 8, which obtains a group of zeroset vectors at prescribed sampling times based on 2-dimensional diagrams showing the relationship between change amounts of oxyhemoglobin and change amounts of deoxyhemoglobin, and computes parameters based on the directions and/or scalars of that vector group.