GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

VECHOOCHIRA

SEMINAR REPORT

ON

A PORTABLE NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM FOR

BEDSIDE MONITORING OF NEW BORN BRAIN

Submitted By

SARAN KUMAR KS

Reg. No.2101240054

DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

2023-2024
 GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

VECHOOCHIRA

CERTIFICATE

This is certify that SARAN KUMAR K S (Reg.No: 2101240054) the fifth

semester student of biomedical engineering has satisfactorily completed the seminar
report entitled “A PORTABLE NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM
FOR BEDSIDE MONITORING OF NEW BORN BRAIN” in accordance with the
syllabus of technical department of Kerala.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT GUIDE

INTERNALEXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my gratitude to Mrs. REINU B JOSE, principal of the institution, for providing me
with adequate facilities, ways and means by which I was able to complete this seminar. I express
my sincere gratitude to my seminar guide Mrs. ASWATHI BABU & ELJI MARIAM, for this
constant support and valuable suggestions without which the successful completion of this
seminar would not have been possible. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Mrs.
ASHA N D, Head of biomedical engineering for their co-operation and support. I express my
immense pleasure and thankfulness to all teachers and staff of the department of biomedical
engineering for their co-operation and support.Last but not the least I thank all other and especially
my classmates and my family members who in one way or another helped me in the successful
completion of this seminar

SARAN KUMAR K S
 ABSTRACT

Newborns with critical health conditions are monitored in neonatal intensive care units (NICU).
In NICU, one of the most important problems that they face is the risk of brain injury. There is a
need for continuous monitoring of newborn’s brain function to prevent any potential brain injury.
This type of monitoring should not interfere with intensive care of the newborn. Therefore, it
should be non- invasive and portable. In this a low-cost, battery operated, dual wavelength,
continuous wave near infrared spectroscopy system for continuous bedside hemodynamic
monitoring of neonatal brain is presented. The system has been designed to optimize SNR by
optimizing the wavelength- multiplexing parameters with special emphasis on safety issues
concerning burn injuries. SNR improvement by utilizing the entire dynamic range has been
satisfied with modifications in analog circuitry.
 CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………..1
2. BACKGROUND…………………………………………………………….2
2.1.Principle Of Portable Infrared Spectroscopy System…............................3
2.2. Methods………………………………………………………………....4
2.2.1.Principle Of CwNirs Measurement Device………………….…..5
2.2.2.CwNirs Instrumentation………………………….........................5
2.2.3.Transmitter………………………………………………….…....6
2.2.4.Receiver………………………………………………………......6
2.2.5.Probe…………………...................................................................6
2.2.6.Processing Unit…………………………………………...…........7
3.RESULTS……………………………………………………………….….....9
3.1.System Performance………………………………………………….......9
3.2.Monitoring Of New Born Subjects…………………………………….....9
3.3.Adavantages……………………………………………………………....10
3.4.Disadvantages………………………………………………………….....10
3.5.Applications……………………………………………………………....11
3.6 Working…………………………………………………………………..12
4.CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………….…13
REFERENCE…………………………………………………………….…..14
 LIST OF FIGURE

Fig no Name of figure Page no

Portable NIRS 3

1.1 System containing computer, control box and probe 4

1.2 Block diagram of CWNIRS system 5

1.3 First prototype of flexible probe holding low power led & detector 8

1.5 Summary Of the filtering operation 8

 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique used to study the interaction of light with
matter. Spectroscopy systems use a range of wavelengths of light to probe the properties of
materials, including their chemical composition, structure, and physical properties. Spectroscopy
can be used in a wide range of applications, including materials science, chemistry, physics, and
biology. In materials science, spectroscopy is used to study the electronic and vibrational properties
of materials, which can provide insight into their physical and chemical properties. In chemistry,
spectroscopy is used to identify and quantify chemical compounds, and to study chemical
reactions. In physics, spectroscopy is used to study the electronic and magnetic properties of
materials, and to study the behavior of atoms and molecules. In biology, spectroscopy is used to
study the structure and function of biological molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids.
Spectroscopy has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, with the development of new
technologies such as laser spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy. These advances have enabled researchers to study materials and biological systems
with unprecedented detail and accuracy, and have opened up new avenues for discovery and
innovation Portable near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) systems have emerged as a promising tool
for bedside monitoring of newborn brain function. NIRS is a non- invasive imaging technique that
uses near-infrared light to measure changes in blood oxygenation and blood volume in the brain.
This technology has been used to study brain function in adults for many years, but recent advances
in NIRS technology have made it possible to use this technique for neonatal brain monitoring. NIRS
systems are portable, easy to use, and can be used at the bedside to monitor newborns in real-time.
This technology can be used to detect early signs of brain injury, such as hypoxia and ischemia,
which can lead to long-term neurological deficits if left untreated. NIRS can also be used to
monitor the effectiveness of therapies, such as hypothermia, which are used to treat neonatal brain
injury. The use of NIRS for neonatal brain monitoring is still in its early stages, but promising
results have been reported in several studies. In this paper, we will review the current state of the
art in portable NIRS technology for neonatal brain monitoring and discuss the potential
applications of this technology in clinical practice.
 CHAPTER 2

BACKGROUND

When light in the near infrared (NIR) range of the spectrum is shone through the scalp, injected
photons follow various paths inside the head. Some of these photons are absorbed by different layers
of the tissue such as skin, skull and brain. Others exit the head after following the so-called “banana”
pattern due to scattering effect of the tissue. Backscattered photons can be detected by means of
appropriate optical apparatus. When the absorption spectrum of light is analyzed, it is seen that the
main absorbers in the NIR range are blood chromophores of oxygenated and deoxygenated
hemoglobin (HbO2 and Hb, respectively). Water and lipid are relatively transparent to NIR light.
Therefore, changes in the amplitude of backscattered light can be interpreted as changes in blood
chromophore concentrations. The procedure of estimating blood chromophore concentrations by
means of near infrared light is called Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). Blood chromophore
information can be used to estimate blood volume and tissue oxygenation which are indications of
hemodynamic activity. Different approaches can be used to implement NIRS such as time resolved,
frequency domain and continuous wave techniques. Among these methods, continuous wave (cw)
NIRS is the most practical one, where light with constant amplitude is injected to tissue and
amplitude decay of the light intensity due to absorption is analyzed. Changes in light amplitude
are used to calculate changes in concentrations of blood chromophores. Due to its practicality
CwNirs systems allow for bedside or home monitoring of blood chromophores for extended periods
.Pulse oximetry, a NIR light based technique similar to NIRS, is being widely used in current
clinical practice. The aim of pulse oximetry is to detect arterial blood saturation. CwNirs further
expands the application window of NIR light by providing information about blood dynamics in
capillaries. CwNirs systems are non-invasive and low-power systems. They allow real time
measurements without removing newborns from nursery units, thereby not interfering with
intensive care. This is especially important for the vulnerable preterm neonate population. Some
clinical situations, where neonatal CwNirs can be employed, are asphyxia, hypoglycemia,
apnea, endotracheal suctioning, aminophylline administration, indomethacin and exogenous
surfactant administrations In this portable, battery- operated, low-cost, low-noise, fast cwNIRS
system which has been designed for bedside cerebral hemodynamic monitoring of newborns in
various clinical studies. To our knowledge, none of the reported NIRS systems provide these
features taken together, which is a crucial factor in transferring the technology to NICU for
continuous bedside clinical monitoring, particularly, of regional brain metabolism.
 Fig:1.1 Portable NIRS

2.1.PRINCIPLE OF PORTABLE INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM

The portable near-infrared spectroscopy system for bedside monitoring of newborn brain uses
the principle of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure the oxygenation status of the brain.
NIRS works by measuring the absorption of near-infrared light by hemoglobin in the blood.
When hemoglobin is oxygenated, it absorbs less near-infrared light than when it is
deoxygenated. By measuring the amount of near-infrared light absorbed by the brain tissue, the
NIRS system can determine the oxygenation status of the brain. This information can be used to
monitor the health of newborns and to diagnose and treat conditions such as hypoxic-ischemic
encephalopathy (HIE), which is a type of brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation during birth.
The portable NIRS system is designed to be used at the bedside of the newborn, allowing for
continuous monitoring of brain oxygenation status in real time. This can help clinicians to
detect and treat brain injury early, improving the outcomes for newborns.

2.2.METHODS
 2.2.1.Principle Of CwNirs Measurement Device

The principle of continuous-wave near-infrared spectroscopy (CwNirs) measurement device is

based on the absorption of near-infrared light by hemoglobin in the blood. The device emits near-
infrared light at multiple wavelengths, typically between 650 and 1000 nm, into the tissue of interest.
The light is then scattered and absorbed by the tissue, including the hemoglobin in the blood vessels.
The amount of light that is absorbed by the hemoglobin depends on the oxygenation status of the
blood. Oxygenated hemoglobin absorbs less near-infrared light than deoxygenated hemoglobin. By
measuring the amount of light that is absorbed at each wavelength, The CwNirs device can
determine the oxygenation status of the tissue. The device typically uses multiple light sources and
detectors to improve the accuracy of the measurements. The CwNirs device is non- invasive and
can be used to monitor tissue oxygenation in real-time, making it useful for a variety of
applications, including monitoring brain oxygenation in neonates and adults.

Fig:1.2 System Containing Computer, Control Box

And Probe
 Fig:1.3. Block Diagram Of CwNirs System

2.2.2.CwNirs Instrumentation

The CwNirs system consists of three parts: probe, control circuit and processing unit. The
probe constitutes the interface between the control system and the subject. It holds the light source
and detector in an appropriate geometry. Operation of the light source and detectors are manipulated
by the control circuit which can be subdivided as transmitter and receiver. Transmitter and receiver
are controlled by the computer software for coherent detection of two wavelengths. The computer
also stores and displays received light information after applying necessary signal processing
schemes. The design of the system can be explained through the use of four subtitles: transmitter,
probe, receiver and computer processing.

2.2.3. Transmitter

The transmitter part of the control circuit is composed of an adjustable LED driver and
wavelength selector. The purpose of the adjustable LED driver is to regulate the light output of the
LED in order to compensate for absorption differences in various tissue types. For subjects with
lighter skin color, sufficient amount of output can be achieved by applying lower power light
whereas larger intensity of light is necessary for darker skin color. This is because of the relative
amount of melanin in skin. Since melanin concentration is constant during the measurement, it does
not affect the results related to concentration change. However, darker skin color causes a decrease
in signal to noise ratio (SNR) by absorbing more light. Therefore, the same level of SNR can be
achieved by adjusting the intensity of NIR light. Light intensity can be changed by varying the
current passing through the light source. The user determines the amount of current and enters it
into the user interface. Then, the software adjusts the current by changing the resistance of a
digital potentiometer in driver circuit. The range of current that can pass through the light source is
from 0 to 100 mA. Values larger than 100 mA have potential to damage the light source; therefore,
 the software warns the user about these values through the user-interface and does not initiate the
operation. The device also has an indicator light on the electronics box which turns on to warn the
user when a current larger than 100 mA passes through the light source due to an undesired short
circuit. As described in the previous section, two different wavelengths are required to resolve
two types of blood chromophores. We employed these two wavelengths together by means of
time multiplexing. This is implemented by a multiplexer IC which is controlled by the software.
At the same time, data from corresponding detector channel were registered to satisfy coherent
detection. The multiplexer was not directly connected to the light source, since current in the order
of 10 to 100mA passes through the source. Relatively higher RON resistance of the multiplexer
causes a large voltage drop and necessary voltage may not be supplied to light source to turn it
on. Instead, we connected multiplexer to operate an analog switch with a very low resistance
value to turn on/off the light source. This permits the use of conventional camcorder batteries
with low voltage values to power the system.

2.2.4.Receiver

The receiver part transfers light information obtained from detectors to the computer after
amplifying and analog filtering. The aim of the amplification part is to bring the signal level close to
the top of the dynamic range of the analog to digital converter. This operation minimizes the error that
occurs during quantization process. The amplification process is initiated by the user. The user hits a
button on the user interface after obtaining a satisfactory probe-skin coupling during calibration
process. The software reads the light output coming from the brain and adjusts the value of a digital
potentiometer in the gain amplifier such that the signal value is amplified to the full dynamic range.
The gain value is also displayed on the user-interface. Typical photon sampling frequency is 60 kHz
and wavelength multiplexing frequency is 10 Hz. Before digital conversion, the signal is low- pass
filtered with cutoff frequency of 1.5 kHz to avoid aliasing during the sampling process.

2.2.5.Probe

The probe is the most critical part of the system design since it establishes the interface between
electronics and the subject. It holds the light source and two detectors in an appropriate geometry.
Detectors are positioned on opposite sides of the source with a source-detector distance of 2 cm This
geometry allows monitoring of two different locations of the brain, simultaneously. Detectors can be
located on the same side with different source- detector distances for multi-depth measurements. By
monitoring different depths, absolute saturation of the brain tissue can be detected. Light emitting
diode (LED) as the source of the NIR light instead of using laser. Higher light intensity levels can be
utilized with LED, since it is a non-coherent and non-collimated light source. Power consumption of
LED is minimal with respect to the laser source, hence the system can be battery operated. Laser light
source also suffers from extreme heating of the semiconductor junction. Optical fibers are required to
carry laser light to tissue. Laser source needs additional precautions due to its injury potential on the
eye. May not be appropriate for use in neonatal intensive care units for vulnerable population of
newborns. As a result, practical and portable systems are quite difficult and inappropriate to build with
laser source. We developed various methods to affix the flexible probe to the surface of the head. The
first method is to use double sided medically graded sticky tape with one side attached to the Foam
and other side attached to the scalp (Atcham®). This provides a satisfactory and stable opcode-scalp
coupling. Another method uses a medically graded self-sticky silicon material (Implantation, Inc)
instead of sticky tape and the foam; opcodes can easily be embedded in this silicon material. In this
case, stable opcode-scalp coupling is provided by inserting the foam under a baby hat as in fig 5. This
baby hat is generally utilized in NICU to hold incubator tubes running to newborn’s nose and mouth.
The performances of these methods were similar in terms of ease-of-use and coupling efficiency.

2.2.6.Processing Unit

A data acquisition card with 10 V dynamic range and 12-bit resolution (Discards 1200, National
Instruments™) has been used to convert analog information to digital where sampling rates up to 100
kHz can be achieved. 5 digital output and 2 analog input channels of the data acquisition card have
been sufficient for the entire operation of the system. The system hardware is software operated: the
custom software manages time multiplexing operation between source and detector pairs, the coherent
detection from multiple sensors and incorporation of real time digital signal processing algorithms.
The user interface software displays changes in blood volume, oxygenation and, concentrations of Hb
and HbO2 by implementing Beer-Lambert Law in real time.
In order to monitor opcode-scalp coupling during the operation, the user interface also displays raw
voltage data coming from control box. Especially, the offset value read during the idle period of the
light source is an important parameter demonstrating the ambient light leakage. Data is recorded in a
file for further off-line processing.
 Fig:1.4 The First Prototype Of Flexible Probe Holding Low
Power Led And Detectors.

Fig:1.5 Summary Of The Filtering Operation

 CHAPTER 3

RESULTS

 Portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) systems are a promising new technology for
monitoring brain oxygenation and function in newborns at the bedside.

 These systems use light to measure changes in the concentration of oxygenated and
deoxygenated hemoglobin in the brain, which can provide information about brain function and
detect abnormalities.

 Studies have shown that portable NIRS systems can accurately detect changes in brain
oxygenation and function in newborns, and can be used to monitor the effects of interventions
such as oxygen therapy and blood transfusions.

 Portable NIRS systems have several advantages over traditional methods of monitoring
newborn brain function, including non-invasiveness, ease of use, and real-time monitoring
capabilities.

 However, portable NIRS systems also have some limitations, including sensitivity to motion
artifacts and the need for calibration and validation against other measures of brain function.

 More research is needed to fully understand the potential applications of portable NIRS
systems in the clinical management of newborns, and to optimize their use for monitoring
newborn brain function at the bedside.

3.1.SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

The performance of the device was evaluated by means of initial laboratory tests on
phantom.First,shot limited signal to noise ratio (SNR) was measured. Shot noise is due to the random
arrival of photons in the photodiode. Since the cause of shot noise is the quantum nature of light, it is
impossible to remove it. To assess the shot noise limited SNR, we used an optical phantom.

3.2.MONITORING OF NEWBORN SUBJECTS

The validity of the system was tested on a newborn in NICU of St. Peter’s University Hospital
(NJ) by monitoring oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations on the temporal region
of the brain as a response to a standard auditory brainstem response (ABR) based hearing screening
test. A hearing screening test, which is mandatory by law in many states, is applied to newborns to
screen for hearing problems. In our experimental protocol, we used hearing screening test to create a
controlled auditory stimulation in the temporal region of the infant brain.
 3.3.ADVANTAGES

 Non-invasive: Portable NIRS systems are non-invasive, meaning that they do not require
any invasive procedures or devices to be placed on the newborn’s head. This reduces the
risk of complications and discomfort for the newborn.
 Real-time monitoring: Portable NIRS systems can provide real-time monitoring of brain
oxygenation and function, allowing clinicians to quickly detect changes and respond with
appropriate interventions.
 Ease of use: Portable NIRS systems are relatively easy to use and can be operated by non-
expert personnel, making them accessible for use in a variety of clinical settings.
 Cost-effective: Portable NIRS systems are generally less expensive than other methods of
monitoring newborn brain function, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed
tomography (CT) scans.
 Continuous monitoring: Portable NIRS systems can provide continuous monitoring of
brain oxygenation and function, allowing clinicians to track changes over time and adjust
interventions as needed.
 Portable: As the name suggests, portable NIRS systems are small and lightweight,
making them easily transportable and usable in a variety of clinical settings, including
neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and emergency departments.

3.4. DISADVANTAGES

 Sensitivity to motion artifacts: Portable NIRS systems are sensitive to motion artifacts,
meaning that movement of the newborn’s head can affect the accuracy of the readings.
This can be a particular challenge in the neonatal setting, where newborns may be restless or
require frequent repositioning.
 Need for calibration and validation: Portable NIRS systems require calibration and
validation against other measures of brain function to ensure accuracy and reliability. This
can be time- consuming and may require specialized expertise.
 Limited depth of penetration: The depth of penetration of near-infrared light into tissue is
limited, meaning that NIRS systems may not be able to detect changes in brain function in
deeper brain structures.
 Lack of specificity: NIRS systems measure changes in the concentration of oxygenated
and deoxygenated hemoglobin, but do not provide information about other aspects of brain
function, such as neuronal activity or metabolism.
  Limited availability: Portable NIRS systems may not be widely available in all
clinical settings, and may require specialized training to operate and interpret the
results.
Need for further research: While portable NIRS systems show promise for bedside
monitoring of newborn brain function, more research is needed to fully understand their
potential applications and limitations, and to optimize their use in clinical practice.

3.5.APPLICATIONS

 Detection of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): HIE is a

condition in which the brain is deprived of oxygen, typically due to
complications during delivery. Portable NIRS systems can be used to
measure changes in cerebral oxygenation and detect early signs of HIE,
allowing clinicians to initiate treatment before irreversible brain damage
occurs.
 Monitoring of cerebral autoregulation: Cerebral autoregulation is the
ability of the brain to maintain a constant blood flow in response to
changes in blood pressure. Portable NIRS systems can be used to monitor
changes in cerebral oxygenation in response to changes in blood pressure,
providing clinicians with information about the newborn’s autoregulatory
capacity.

 Evaluation of treatment efficacy: Portable NIRS systems can be used to

monitor changes in cerebral oxygenation in response to treatment, such as
hypothermia therapy for HIE. By tracking changes in brain function over
time, clinicians can evaluate the efficacy of different treatments and
adjust therapy as needed.
 Prognostication: Portable NIRS systems can be used to predict outcomes
in newborns with HIE, based on changes in cerebral oxygenation and
other physiological parameters. This information can help guide clinical
decision-making and inform discussions with parents and families.
 3.6.WORKING

 Light Emission: The NIRS device emits near-infrared light

(wavelengths between 700 and 900 nanometers) into the baby’s scalp
through specialized sensors or optodes. These optodes contain both light
emitters and detectors.
 Light Penetration: The emitted light penetrates the infant’s scalp and skull
but is scattered when it encounters brain tissue. Some of the light is
absorbed by oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood
vessels.
 Light Detection: The detectors in the optodes measure the amount of light
that is transmitted through the brain tissue and reaches them. This
transmitted light carries information about the concentration of
oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the brain.
 Data Processing: The NIRS system processes the detected light signals
using sophisticated algorithms. It calculates changes in oxygenation
levels and hemoglobin concentration in real-time.
 Display and Monitoring: The processed data is displayed on a monitor,
often as a graphical representation of oxygenation levels over time.
Healthcare providers can monitor this data at the bedside.
 Clinical Interpretation: Clinicians use the NIRS data to assess the
newborn’s brain health. Sudden changes in oxygenation or blood flow
can indicate potential issues, such as brain injury or oxygen deprivation.
 Continuous Monitoring: NIRS systems can provide continuous, non-
invasive monitoring, making them valuable for assessing and responding
to changes in a newborn’s brain function quickly.
 CHAPTER- 4

CONCLUSION

We present the design of a low-cost, battery operated con Tenuous wave NIRS system that is
intended for continuous Bedside brain hemodynamic monitoring of newborns in Neonatal intensive
care units. Such a system can potentially assist clinicians in assessing functional changes in Cerebral
oxygenation and blood volume without removing the baby from the NICU.Design parameters were
defined and optimized for a safe And effective system performance. The most critical design Issue
was the trade-off between the temperature of the LED and the performance of the digital filter. SNR of
67dB was obtained for a temporal resolution of 10 Hz. The system can be operated for 30 hours with
an off-the-shelf 1850 mAh Li-Ion battery. Stray light rejection was satisfactory and inter-channel
crosstalk of the channels was less Than 0.1%.Preliminary experiments performed both in the
laboratory and in a clinical setting suggest that the system can be Used to track functional changes of
blood volume and Oxygenation. This system can be used for bedside monitoring of neonates
undergoing various clinical studies Such as apnea, asphyxia, hypoglycemia, endtracheal suctioning,
surfactant, aminophylline and indomethacin administrations
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