How To Monitor Hospitalized Patients for Recurrent Strokes in Real-time?

When hospitalized stroke patients experience another stroke, nurses usually keep an eye on them and arrange for tests for the patient, which are obviously harmful since CT perfusion scan is performed.

So, here’s a new device being developed at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, which could watch for strokes simply by shining light onto a patient’s forehead. Its a head patch!

Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Technology

Now, just like a Pulse oximeter, which clamps onto the finger, there is head patch in this case.

• The head patch is attached to the brow skin, like a sticker.
• Blood oxygen levels in the brain is measured, by emitting near-IR light
• IR penetrates the scalp for about 2.5 cm into the underlying brain tissue.
• Can be used in battlefield on soldiers, to assess the extent of brain injuries.

Current CT Perfusion Method for Testing Stroke

Blood flow and oxygenation is measured through the use of a contrast medium, which can cause airway or kidney damage. An we know that, if more CT Scans are required, the patient to excessive radiation.

In extreme cases, an oxygen probe may instead be inserted into the brain. Needless to say, the procedure is invasive, plus it only covers a limited area of the brain.

Source: First-of-its-kind Head Patch Monitors Brain Blood Flow and Oxygen