Thursday, September 18, 2025 9/18/2025

Dual-slope method for enhanced depth sensitivity in frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy

Award Number: R01EB029414
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2025

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Dual-slope method for enhanced depth sensitivity in frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy - PROJECT SUMMARY In this Bioengineering Research project, we propose to develop a novel technique for frequency-domain near- infrared spectroscopy (FD-NIRS) that aims to achieve selective sensitivity to deeper tissue in non-invasive diffuse optical spectroscopy and imaging. A technique that features a stronger sensitivity to deeper tissue relative to superficial tissue can have a broad impact on non-invasive optical diagnostics and monitoring and is especially important in cerebral oximetry and functional brain imaging. The proposed technique is based on the new concept of phase dual-slopes (this is the phase of the modulated optical signal measured in FD-NIRS), which requires a minimum of two light sources and two optical detectors placed on the tissue according to a special arrangement. In addition to achieving selective sensitivity to deeper tissue, phase dual slopes are weakly sensitive to instrumental drifts and motion artifacts (except spikes), which is a highly desirable property for robust measurements. First, we will use diffusion theory and Monte Carlo simulations to identify source/detector geometrical arrangements and intensity modulation frequencies that optimize performance of the phase dual-slope for a variety of heterogeneous layered media. Second, we will implement optimal phase dual-slope conditions with a commercial FD-NIRS instrument to demonstrate effectiveness on tissue-like phantoms, and we will design special source-detector arrays for imaging based on the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse of the Jacobian matrix for phase dual-slope measurements. Third, we will design and build a dedicated compact, wearable, fiber-less, and cost-effective FD-NIRS device for further broadening the applicability of the phase dual-slope method to freely moving subjects in everyday conditions, and for point-of- care applications. Fourth, we will perform human studies for technical performance tests (in skeletal muscle during vascular occlusions) and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the phase dual-slope method for functional brain imaging (in the prefrontal cortex during cognitive activation). In particular, the latter study will elucidate the relative blood flow/blood volume contributions to cortical hemodynamics and will allow for dual-task measurements in subjects performing cognitive tasks while walking. The broad objective of this project is to advance the field of diffuse optical measurements of biological tissue by developing special techniques for collection and analysis of FD-NIRS data to enhance the quality, reliability, and information content of non- invasive NIRS in research and clinical applications.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2024	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	80 GEORGE ST	MEDFORD	MA	02155	MIDDLESEX	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	4	7/23/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $436,322 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE	169 HOLLAND ST	SOMERVILLE	MA	02144	MIDDLESEX	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	4	4/25/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$436,322
														Subtotal = $436,322

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $444,298 )
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE INC	169 HOLLAND ST	SOMERVILLE	MA	02144	MIDDLESEX	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	5/3/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$444,298
														Subtotal = $444,298

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $477,448 )
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE INC	169 HOLLAND ST FL 3	SOMERVILLE	MA	02144	MIDDLESEX	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	2	5/18/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$477,448
														Subtotal = $477,448

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $571,606 )
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE INC	169 HOLLAND ST FL 3	SOMERVILLE	MA	02144	MIDDLESEX	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	7/28/2021	NEW	$571,606
														Subtotal = $571,606

Grand Total All Awards = $1,929,674

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Dual-slope method for enhanced depth sensitivity in frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy

Award Number: R01EB029414

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2025

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer