Testing Near-Infrared Neuromonitoring Devices for Detecting Cerebral Hemodynamic Changes in Parabolic Flight

NASA has a limited ability to assess brain physiology during spaceflight. This is of particular concern given the recent visual impairments thought to be related to intracranial hypertension (aka Visual Impairment due to Intracranial Pressure or VIIP). The primary objective of this project is to test and validate – during parabolic flight – a new near infrared neuroimaging (NIN) instrument, NINscan 4a, for non-invasive measurement of cerebral hemodynamics. NINscan 4a allows functional neuromonitoring based on the principle of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Validation of this system is an integral step in our broader research efforts to develop technology for inflight assessment of cerebral physiology.

Paper: Wearable brain imaging with multimodal physiological monitoring

Work continues:
Multi-Use Near-Infrared Spectroscopy System for Spaceflight Health Applications
NASA Taskbook Entry

- NINscan technology can measure cerebral oxygenation and blood volume - Potential users include flight surgeons, astronauts, and first responders

Future Customers
Application of NIN to spaceflight operational environments (ISS, exploration missions) would allow for continuous or dynamic monitoring of cerebral hemodynamics and detection of alterations in hemodynamics associated with exposure to microgravity, changes in fluid distribution, and ultimately development of biomarkers for VIIP. Apart from application to human spaceflight, deliverables of this study could also find broad application to terrestrial medicine and physiology.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.