Wearable near-infrared spectroscopy device for low-resource settings

Abstract There is a global need for accessible neuromonitoring technologies in low-resource settings. A low-cost, wearable near-infrared spectroscopy device was developed using a commercially available optical biosensing module. The device features wireless data transmission, dual-wavelength illumination, and supports dual-slope analysis for improved brain sensitivity. Its performance and depth sensitivity were validated through layered blood phantoms and in vivo experiments, demonstrating stable operation, reliable signal quality, and accurate detection of cerebral oxygenation changes in adult head mimicking phantoms and healthy adult volunteers. The device is low-cost, reproducible with minimal engineering skills, easy to use, and reliable for in vivo human experiments, highlighting its potential as a practical tool for non-invasive brain monitoring, particularly in low-resource environments. The data-processing codes and the 3D-printable probe design files have all been open-sourced and are publicly available.