Biosignalsplux fNIRS Pioneer Kit

The FNIRS Pioneer Kit contains all the necessary equipment for signal acquisition using the biosignalsplux FNIRS (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) sensor and includes a 4-channel biosignalsplux hub, the FNIRS sensor, a hub charger, and a PLUX-tested Bluetooth dongle.

The FNIRS is a user-friendly, non-invasive, and portable sensor that utilizes two emitting LEDs – one in the red and one in the infrared spectral range – to measure the reflection of red and infrared light in cortical tissue.

The light emitted by each of these LEDs is absorbed by a photodiode, with the resulting current used to calculate an estimate of blood oxygen saturation levels in the monitored brain region or tissue. This method, combined with the sensor's design, provides a non-invasive way to monitor brain activity applicable in a variety of research areas, including biomedicine, psychophysiology, and other functional neuroimaging applications (e.g., brain-computer interface development). Furthermore, the acquired sensor data can be used to derive heart rate information, which can be utilized for further analysis of cardiac activity (e.g., heart rate variability).

Designed for Developers and Researchers
Unlike most biosignalsplux sensors that provide a pre-conditioned analog output, this sensor offers a digital output signal that can be received via SPI. Although designed for signal acquisition on the forehead, the light intensity of each electrode can be individually adjusted using the biosignalsplux API. This allows for adapting light intensities when this sensor is used on other body parts or for research applications with different requirements.

Developed in Collaboration with Charles River Analytics
For the development of this sensor, PLUX teamed up with Charles River Analytics (CRA) to offer a new, cost-effective, miniaturized FNIRS sensor that enables the acquisition of high-quality brain activity data even in environments with strong physical movements – and at a fraction of the cost of currently available FNIRS systems.

Together with research partners at CRA and McLean Hospital (Harvard Medical School), the development and results of this sensor were thoroughly investigated outside the laboratory. These findings are presented in the research team's publication, "A System to Monitor, Extract, and Decode Indicators of Cognitive Workload (MEDIC) in Realistic, High-motion Environments."

Scope of Delivery:

Included Hardware

• 1x wireless 4-channel hub
  
• 1x FNIRS sensor
  
• 1x Bluetooth dongle
  
• 1x medical charger

Included Software (digital content)

• OpenSignals for real-time data acquisition and visualization
  
• OpenSignals Mobile App (Android)
  
• Cross-platform APIs for software development in Python, C++, Visual C#, Java, Android, and MATLAB

Specifications:

4-channel Hub:

• Analog ports: 4 universal inputs
  
• Additional ports: 1 ground connection
  
• Resolution: Up to 16 bits (per channel)
  
• Sampling rate: Up to 3 kHz (per channel)
  
• Communication: Bluetooth Class II
  
• Range: Up to ~10 m (expandable)
  
• Internal memory: Not included (optional 16 GB available)
  
• Battery life: ~10 h streaming; ~24 h data recording
  
• Dimensions: 85 x 54 x 10 mm
  
• Weight: 45 g (without sensors)
  
• Color: White
  

FNIRS Sensor:

• Dual-LED design: 1 red & 1 Infrared (IR) LED
  
• Red LED wavelength: 660 nm
  
• IR LED wavelength: 860 nm
  
• Detector sensitivity: 400 nm–1100 nm (max. at 860 nm)
  
• Resolution: 16 bits
  
• Sampling rate: 500 Hz
  
• Communication: SPI
  
• Cable length: 100 cm ± 0.5 cm (customizable)

Documentation:

• biosignalsplux – User Manual
  
• 4-Channel Hub Datasheet
  
• fNIRS Sensor Datasheet
  
• OpenSignals & Add-Ons – User Manual
  
• OpenSignals (r)evolution (Windows, macOS, Linux)