BIOPAC and fNIR Devices Offer New Functional Near Infrared Systems to Study Brain Activity

GOLETA, CA--(Marketwire - May 5, 2009) - BIOPAC Systems, Inc. announces new functional near infrared (fNIR) optical imaging systems to measure oxygen level changes in the prefrontal cortex of human subjects.

The fNIR system provides researchers with real-time monitoring of tissue oxygenation in the brain as subjects take tests, perform tasks, or receive stimulation. It allows researchers to quantitatively assess brain functions -- such as attention, memory, planning, and problem solving -- while individuals perform cognitive tasks.

fNIR is a powerful near-infrared spectroscopy imaging tool for in-lab cognitive tests. This technique measures NIR light absorbance in blood of hemoglobin with and without oxygen and provides information about ongoing brain activity similar to functional MRI studies. It eliminates many of the drawbacks of fMRI and provides a safe, affordable, noninvasive solution for cognitive function assessment. fNIR results have been tested to agree with fMRI results.

The technology empowers researchers by providing greater flexibility for study design, including working within complex lab environments and operating in non-traditional lab locations for field studies. BIOPAC Systems, Inc. has partnered with fNIR Devices to offer the technology as part of BIOPAC's range of data acquisition & analysis systems for the life sciences. Davood Tashayyod, CEO, fNIR Devices, says, "We created a headband for continuous NIR spectroscopy to obtain neurovascular coupling data while keeping subjects comfortable and free to move around. Our fNIR results have been tested to agree with fMRI results."

fNIR data combines with physiological signals acquired through BIOPAC's data acquisition and analysis systems, such as ECG, respiration, cardiac output, blood pressure, electrodermal activity and stimulus response markers; AcqKnowledge software provides automated analysis tools for event related potentials and ensemble averaging. The system interfaces with most stimulus presentation systems (such as E-Prime or SuperLab) and BIOPAC's range of Virtual Reality systems.

BIOPAC CEO Frazer Findlay says, "Combining fNIR technology with BIOPAC's physiological monitoring systems further expands BIOPAC's human-based neurophysiological product line and puts BIOPAC in the forefront of advanced noninvasive subject monitoring."

The fNIR100 is suitable for a wide range of applications: Human Performance Assessment (Cognitive Function), Depth of Anesthesia Monitoring, Pain Assessment, Brain Computer Interface, Neurorehabilitation, Virtual Reality, Autism, Credibility Assessment.

Review fNIR - Optical Brain Imaging or contact BIOPAC for a demo.

Contact Information: Contact: Jocelyn Kremer BIOPAC Systems, Inc. E-mail: Tel 805.685.0066