School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS RESEARCH
Functional Optical Imaging of Brain
The maturing technologies of functional optical
imaging of the brain using near infrared (NIR) are
poised for broad-based deployment in military,
civilian, educational, and health care applications.
These applications range from alertness/vigilance
monitoring and mental disorder assessment to the
evaluation of cognitive engagement. This safe,
affordable, portable, non-invasive, and nonintrusive technology can be used in high stress,
high responsibility environments, as well as in
health care and academic settings.
Various Uses of Optical Imaging
Telemedicine
Functional brain
activity monitor
Co-registration of
fMRI with fNIR
Remote
Environments
P
R
O
G
R
A
M
O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W
Functional Optical Imaging of Breast
Cancerous Area
Suspicious
area
Blood
Deoxygenation
Blood Volume
Non-Cancerous Area
Pad
Blood
Deoxygenation
Recent advancements in functional optical
imaging of biological tissues using near
infrared (NIR) have reached a level where a
much broader based delivery of health care
can be realized with this novel modality. Its
potential use as a prescreening diagnostic tool
for early detection of breast cancer offers an
important complement to existing screening
instruments that are too expensive and/or
immobile. In particular, this safe, affordable,
portable, and non-invasive technology makes
a much-needed diagnostic tool available to
underserved segments of the population.
Blood Volume
Functional Near-Infrared Imaging of Breast
Institutional Collaborators / Primary Contacts: Dr. Banu Onaral, Drexel University (PA); Dr. Kambiz Pourrezaei, Drexel University
(PA); Dr. Scott Bunce, MCP Hahnemann University (PA); Dr. Britton Chance, University of Pennsylvania (PA); Dr. Joseph Kolodzey,
University of Delaware (DE); Dr. Robi Polikar, Rowan University (NJ); Dr. Kamelia Alavi, Technology & Medicine, Inc. (PA); Dr. Harel
Rosen, St. Peter’s Hospital (NJ); Dr. Warren S. Warren, Princeton University ( NJ); Dr. Arye Rosen, Sarnoff Corporation (NJ); Dr. Joseph
Elad, Quantum Leap Innovations, Inc. (DE); Dr. Mike Contarino, NAVAIR (MD); Mr. James Buss, Office of Naval Research (VA); Dr.
Joseph H. Ricker, Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation (NJ).
WWW.BIOMED.DREXEL.EDU/ResearchPortfolio/
V 2.0 SD [020204]
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems
FUNCTIONAL OPTICAL IMAGING OF BRAIN
The maturing technologies of functional optical imaging of the brain using near infrared (NIR) are poised for broadbased deployment in military, civilian, educational, and health care applications. These applications range from
alertness/vigilance monitoring and mental disorder assessment to the evaluation of cognitive engagement. This
safe, affordable, portable, non-invasive, and non-intrusive technology can be used in high stress, high
responsibility environments, as well as in health care and academic settings.
Various Uses of
Optical Imaging
P
R
O
J
E
C
T
Antenna
O
N
E
Flex
Circuits
Batteries
EEG Electrode
fNIR optodes
Pilot Training/Monitoring
Truck Driver Monitoring
Telemedicin
e
P
A
G
E
R
Remote
Environments
Military Impact
Monitoring pilots’ state of alertness/vigilance.
Detection of sleep deprivation and its effect on
soldier performance.
Design of more effective customized training
protocols.
Healthcare Impact
Monitoring brain function in neonates and
geriatric patients.
The possibility of a non-invasive, non-intrusive,
and affordable brain imaging system.
Investigation of mental disorders and monitoring
success of treatment.
Educational Impact
Brain mapping during learning, memory, and
cognitive tasks.
Customization of instructional methodology to
individual learning styles.
Economic Impact
The functional optical imaging technology
platform will be the basis of new products for
military, healthcare, and educational use.
Functional brain activity
monitor
Co-registration of fMRI
with fNIR
Brain images illustrating the progress of learning during
a linguistic task; after a task is learned, the student uses
a small region of the brain more efficiently.
Institutional Collaborators / Primary Contacts: Dr. Banu Onaral, Drexel University (PA); Dr. Kambiz Pourrezaei, Drexel University
(PA); Dr. Britton Chance, University of Pennsylvania (PA); Dr. Scott Bunce, MCP Hahnemann University (PA); Dr. Joseph Kolodzey,
University of Delaware (DE); Dr. Robi Polikar, Rowan University (NJ); Dr. Kamelia Alavi, Technology & Medicine, Inc. (PA); Dr. Harel
Rosen, St. Peter’s Hospital (NJ); Dr. Warren S. Warren, Princeton University ( NJ); Dr. Arye Rosen, Sarnoff Corporation (NJ); Dr. Joseph
Elad, Quantum Leap Innovations, Inc. (DE); Dr. Mike Contarino, NAVAIR (MD); Mr. James Buss, Office of Naval Research (VA); Dr.
Joseph H. Ricker, Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation (NJ).
WWW.BIOMED.DREXEL.EDU/ResearchPortfolio/
V 2.0 SD [020204]
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems
FUNCTIONAL OPTICAL IMAGING OF BREAST
Recent advancements in functional optical imaging of biological tissues using near infrared (NIR)
have reached a level where a much broader based delivery of health care can be realized with this
novel modality. Its potential use as a prescreening diagnostic tool for early detection of breast cancer
offers an important complement to existing screening instruments that are too expensive and/or
immobile. In particular, this safe, affordable, portable, and non-invasive technology makes a muchneeded diagnostic tool available to underserved segments of the population.
P
R
O
J
E
C
T
Cancerous Area
Various Uses of Optical Imaging
O
N
E
Suspicious
area
Blood
Deoxygenation
Blood Volume
Non-Cancerous Area
P
A
G
E
R
Telemedicine
Remote
Environments
Pad
Blood
Deoxygenation
Blood Volume
Functional Near-Infrared Imaging of Breast
Economic Impact
 Development of novel optical medical imaging
equipment is of critical economic value to the nation.
Regional Impact
Use of a new medical imaging system will enhance
the prestige of regional medical centers and
development of new products, along with related job
opportunities.
Societal Impact
The possibility of non-invasive and affordable breast
imaging can have a significant impact on early
detection of breast cancer in underserved
populations.
Military Impact
A portable, non-invasive, inexpensive, robust, and
compact medical imaging and diagnostics tool for use
in telemedicine is of paramount importance for
identifying hemorrhage in the battlefield.
Design of a portable handheld NIR Breast
Cancer Imager
Institutional Collaborators / Primary Contacts: Dr. Banu Onaral, Drexel University (PA); Dr. Kambiz Pourrezaei, Drexel University (PA):
Dr. Britton Chance, University of Pennsylvania (PA); Dr. Joseph Kolodzey, University of Delaware (DE); Dr. Warren S. Warren, Princeton
University ( NJ); Mr. James Buss, Office of Naval Research (VA); Dr. Mike Contarino, NAVAIR (MD).
WWW.BIOMED.DREXEL.EDU/ResearchPortfolio/
V 2.0 SD [020204]