Products
NIRSOptix Brain Monitor
TechEn is proud to have developed medical technology that improves - and saves - peoples’ lives. Working in conjunction with the Photon Migration Imaging Laboratory at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, we have developed real-time NIRS systems employing the most advanced technology available for non-invasive, optical brain monitoring.
Our non-invasive brain monitoring products are advancing the study of brain activity and improving quality of life for tens of thousands of people. Current research applications include: brain studies for stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and Elderly Care, Traumatic Brain Injury, Training and Learning Disabilities, Schizophrenia, motor and muscle activities. NIRS and CW systems are used in the monitoring of neuronal activity in other clinical
Bundled System
populations (e.g., epilepsy, migraine, coma/neurology, ICU). In addition, TechEn products are used in multi-modal research, including EEG, fMRI, MEG and TMS studies.
In the past several years, researchers have employed TechEn CW4, CW5 and now CW6 systems for a range of studies in these and other application areas. Recent publications using the systems have come from groups world-wide, from MGH in Boston to Texas; from Montreal, Canada, to Beijing, China.
The careful design of the systems helps to overcome many of the challenges that researchers encounter during near-infrared spectroscopy and tissue optical imaging studies, from difficulties with probe placement to portability issues.
We will work with you to determine how the technology can best serve you in your application area. We respond to all inquiries personally, allowing us to ascertain your needs at the very beginning - and to involve you in every decision as we assemble your NIRS system.
4-Channel and 32-Channel NIRS Systems
TechEn offers two near-infrared spectroscopy systems: the NIRS2 CE and CW6 real-time systems. Both of these systems are based on proprietary digital-imaging technologies developed at TechEn, Inc. and clinical research conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital.
NIRS2 CE
The NIRS2 CE, or NIRS 4x4, system has only four lasers and four detectors. Non-invasive hemodynamic measurements are acquired and analyzed. The limitation of NIRS with only four lasers and four detectors is that imaging is limited by the number of data point measurements. With NIRS 2 CE, sixteen (4 lasers x 4 detectors) individual measurements can be acquired. The NIRS 4 is a 4-channel system with 4 source-detector pairs and up to 4 different laser frequencies. The system is used to collect data on hemodynamics in a broad range of applications. If you are planning only to collect data on hemodynamic activity, or are new to near-infrared spectroscopy, then the NIRS2 CE is probably the system for you.
CW6
The CW6, as a full 32-channel system, has 32 source-detector pairs and 2 to 16 different laser frequencies. This system is used both to collect data and to produce images of hemodynamic activity. Imaging is made possible by the increased number of channels. If you are planning to use the system for sophisticated imaging of hemodynamic activity, then the CW6 is more likely the system for you. We build configurations from 8x8 up to 32x32.
Both systems are portable. The NIRS2 CE, in a carry case with a handle, is 11in x 18.5in x 14.3in. The handle width is 20.6in. The CW6 in its case is approximately 17in x 20.5in x 19.75in. In addition, the CW6 is rack mountable. Both systems come with a modular design, which allows for semi-customization of the systems.
For additional information about NIRS and CW systems, please view the following web links.
Dr. David Boas, Photon Migration Lab at MGH, Harvard University.
http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/PMI/
For recent MGH publications, using NIRS and CW systems
http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/PMI/publications.htm
Modular Design
TechEn’s near-infrared spectroscopy systems can be custom-designed with modular components to meet the diverse requirements of very demanding medical and research environments. The systems use modular laser transmitter cards and detector receiver cards. Systems can be ordered with lasers and detectors in multiples of four. TechEn’s goal is to configure your system to meet your scientific requirements while staying within your budget. With the modular design, you can always add to the system later if necessary.
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Software
Because CW6 and NIRS2 CE are real-time instruments it is especially important that the data acquisition software be easy to use. TechEn has designed the software for these systems with that in mind. The data acquisition software packaged with the CW6 and NIRS2 CE shows functional display, laser control, detector control and gain settings. In addition, it allows you to toggle between 690nm and 830nm, by laser and detector pairings.
The software has adjustable control settings that facilitate easy changes in display time as well as in intensity in dB. Users may enlarge signals of interest to view the cardiac and hemodynamic signals, all in real-time. The software displays are intuitive and have ease of use for CW6 and NIRS2 CE.
TechEn software generates *.NIRS files and is compatible with HOMer, an open source software developed by Dr. David Boas at Massachusetts General Hospital. HOMer software is used for data analysis and imaging functions.
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Screenshot of CW6/NIRS2 CE software |
Accessories
To create a plug-and-play instrument, we offer optional accessories for a bundled system. These are available for NIRSOptix Medical Instruments NIRS 4, Continuous Wave 32 and Custom Systems.
- Custom Head Gear for NIRS, MRI and EEG
- Custom Probes
- Optical Fiber Cables Standard
- Optical Fiber Cables for MRI
- BNC for Auxiliary Signals
- Physiological Monitors for Simultaneous Data Acquisition
- Calibration - Optical Power Sensor
- API Software Module
- Software - Matlab and MATLab Data Acquisition Toolbox
- Custom Medical Cart
| Bundled Systems with Computer and Custom Medical Cart |
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| Custom Headgear for NIRS, MRI and EEG |
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| Optical Fiber Bundles and Custom Probes |
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| Auxilliary Signals |
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