A versatile optode attachment to facilitate rapid hair clearance and better through-hair SNR for wider subject inclusivity with fNIRS

Seth B. Crawford; Tiffany-Chau Le; Audrey K. Bowden

doi:10.1117/12.3001814

12 March 2024 A versatile optode attachment to facilitate rapid hair clearance and better through-hair SNR for wider subject inclusivity with fNIRS

Seth B. Crawford, Tiffany-Chau Le, Audrey K. Bowden

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12828, Neural Imaging and Sensing 2024; 1282806 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3001814
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2024, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The presence of human hair in the area of sensing interest during functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) procedures is a known factor that can prevent proper coupling with the scalp, resulting in signal loss and a reduction in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Researchers struggle to find a technique for hair clearance that is accessible, simple and time efficient to operate, and applicable to hair of many different characteristics – including length, shaft thickness, curl or coil, and density. Our group has developed a novel, mechanical attachment compatible with commercial fNIRS systems to facilitate rapid hair clearance and better through-hair SNR for a range of hair types and textures, promoting wider subject inclusivity. Our attachment, named the “Mini Comb,” comprises three parts: a twistable cover, a support piece and six sliding legs. The twistable cover allows the design to be operated by a simple twisting mechanism and has a versatile design that allows it to be deployed in multiple commercial systems. The support piece serves to keep the Mini Comb system connected and in place. The sliding legs move hair strands away from a central region of interest to clear a path for signal acquisition and proper electronics contact with the scalp. We have developed five unique designs for the sliding legs to achieve hair clearance in a wide variety of hair types and subject populations. Results obtained with wigged mannequins show the Mini Comb designs are able to create hair clearance across these variable hair types.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Seth B. Crawford, Tiffany-Chau Le, and Audrey K. Bowden "A versatile optode attachment to facilitate rapid hair clearance and better through-hair SNR for wider subject inclusivity with fNIRS", Proc. SPIE 12828, Neural Imaging and Sensing 2024, 1282806 (12 March 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3001814

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
5 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Design

Extrusion

Signal to noise ratio

Head

Signal attenuation

Electronic components

Imaging systems

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years