Fiber optics aren't just for communication and internet connectivity anymore, the technology could soon be used to monitor brain function and health.
Researchers from the Imperial College London have developed an optical fiber sensing system capable of continuously and simultaneously monitoring six critical brain biomarkers, offering a promising tool for early detection of complications following traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Fiber optics is the technology used to quickly transmit information as pulses of light through a glass or plastic fiber.
This innovation, reported in the journal ACS Sensors, could provide important data and insights on a patient's brain health automatically, potentially improving patient outcomes.
A traumatic brain injury is an injury caused by an outside force--a forceful bump, blow, or jolt from an object entering the brain, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explained. Not all blows to the head result in TBI, and the injury caused may be temporary or permanent.
After a TBI, there is a risk of secondary damage that can happen from brain swelling and other complications. Current medical methods can track certain biomarkers that help monitor brain health, but fall short in concurrently tracking multiple biomarkers like temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, glucose, sodium ions, and calcium ions.
Addressing this problem, the researchers engineered an optical fiber system with fluorescent tips for each biomarker. By integrating these fibers into a 2.5mm-thick catheter, the team was able to create a cerebrospinal fluid-sensing system capable of real-time monitoring. Machine learning algorithms then analyze the data to provide easy output readouts.
In laboratory tests using animal brain models and human cerebrospinal fluid samples, the system accurately detected and measured the targeted biomarkers.
This technology has significant potential for clinical applications, allowing healthcare professionals to monitor, quickly identify, and address imminent secondary injuries in brain trauma patients.
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