Development of a Remote-fNIRS Device for Use Under Naturalistic Working Conditions

Recent advancements in biotechnology have resulted in brain measurement devices that can noninvasively measure the functioning brain in peoples natural environments. Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is such a technique, which measures the hemoglobin signatures related to neural activation. With the potential to monitor peoples mental states non-invasively and in real-time, researchers have used fNIRS devices to measure a myriad of cognitive and emotional states in operational settings [1-5]. Leading biotechnologists have created wireless implementations (Fig 1) of fNIRS for real-time brain monitoring under normal working conditions[6]. The device works by pulsing near-infrared light into the head, and using powerful light detectors to measure the light that is reflected back out of the head. The fNIRS is unique in its potential to take these measurements from a distance, without requiring contact with the head. While fNIRS implementations for measuring brain function have used source and detection fibers which are placed on the head of subjects directly, we have demonstrated that it is possible to modify this technology so that measurement of brain function can be done at a distance from the users.