New portable fNIRS device from Artinis Medical Systems
The OctaMon is the newest instrument from Artinis Medical Systems based on the Near Infrared Spectroscopy principle. The OctaMon consists of 8 channels covering the full prefrontal cortex. Like the Oxymon, the OctaMon measures changes in oxygenation in terms of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and total hemoglobin. Similar multi-channel NIRS systems are often non-portable, heavy, expensive, complicated and take a long time to set-up. With the OctaMon Artinis focused on the usability and portability of NIRS while still providing the same quality of data as measured by large NIRS systems.
The OctaMon is a plug-and-play device with no set-up time giving you continuous and real-time feedback in their data analysis software that is delivered with the system. As the OctaMon is a really lightweight (230g incl. battery) and comfortable device it can be used where subjects hardly notice they are being monitored. Hyperscanning (monitoring multiple subjects at the
same time) is also possible with the OctaMon, while Artinis’ software allows you to combine different NIRS devices within one data stream. The subjects are even enabled to perform physical activities like walking or running, while the device is connected with bluetooth (up to 100 meters) to the laptop. The device comes in different sizes, including sizes for infant studies.
For more information, visit the Artinis webpage http://www.artinis.com/octamon and http://www.artinis.com/octamon-mini

Shimadzu Introduces Its LABNIRS functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy System in the United States for Brain Imaging Research
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI) announces the U.S. release of its LABNIRS functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system. LABNIRS offers multi-channel, high-sensitivity optical measurements of Blood Oxygen Level Dependent, BOLD, signals that originate in the cerebral cortex. Shimadzu will debut the LABNIRS imaging system at booth 1854 at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, 2015, which takes place October 17-21 in Chicago.
LABNIRS offers flexibility for brain measurements through increased temporal and spatial resolution. Holders are specially designed to accept up to 40 sets of fibers, providing 142 channels, and images can be acquired at a rate of 6 ms. In addition, the LABNIRS system employs advanced semiconductor laser technology and photomultipliers to enhance signal acquisition and sensitivity.
Flexible fiber placements allow users to arrange the sensors for effective measurement of any brain region of interest. To ensure the most stable measurements, users can also select from a range of flexible adjustable surface holders (FLASH), including whole head, newborn, and high density, to provide seamless mapping of the entire brain.
The LABNIRS system is built with scalability in mind. The system offers comprehensive options to serve the ever-growing needs of brain imaging research. These options include a video recording system, simultaneous EEG measurements, a stimulus presentation system, fiber extensions, MRI fusion software, a 3D position measurement system, and a real-time data transfer system. Physiological monitoring devices such as blood pressure, heart rate and eye tracking can be integrated into the data measurement to provide real-time comparisons to brain activity. An intuitive system interface provides easy operation in both measurement and analysis modes
“Shimadzu Scientific Instruments takes great pride in entering into this new market by launching the most comprehensive fNIRS system available to neuroscientists today ”  Mr. Katsuaki Kaito, president of Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, commented.
A multi-subject, 112 channel, LABNIRS system designed to investigate dynamic social interactions, including integration of mutual eye gaze information, is currently installed at Yale University in the Brain Function Laboratory directed by Joy Hirsch, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobiology. For more information, see SFN Nano Symposium: Neuroimaging of Language, “Face information is dynamically incorporated into transmission and receptive language processes during interpersonal communication” (October 19, 3:30 – 3:45 PM, N227, 376.11), and the Poster: “Neural specializations for interpersonal interaction in a competitive gambling task”, (October 21, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Hall A, 721.10/Z23).
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Novel NIRS-DCS system are finally being commercialized!

BabyLux
Politecnico di Milano, together with ICFO and some other significant partners in Europe, is working on a project called “BabyLux – An Optical Neuro-Monitor of Cerebral Oxygen Metabolism and Blood Flow for Neonatology”  www.babylux-project.eu.  The project, funded by the European Commission, aims to provide an innovative and reliable tool to monitor and assess brain blood flow and oxygenation in extremely preterm neonates.
The device can be brought to the bedside, measurements can be done in a few minutes and repeatedly, if the condition is critical. The project takes up complete R&D works and extends already tested prototypes to the level of demonstrator, bridging the gap between research products and commercialization. It uses photonic technologies, such as diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) and time resolved near-infrared spectroscopy (TRS). This innovative combination provides an accurate state-of-the-art and robustness in TRS, and introduces, for the first time, DCS in a combined instrument. After an initial laboratory demonstration, a trial period in real-life settings will follow, conducted in parallel both at the Mangiagalli Hospital in Milan (Italy) and at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen (Denmark). Functioning and benefits will be evaluated by professional end-users during validation tests, carried out in conditions fitting in the clinical workflow, protocols and procedures.

MetaOx
ISS has introduced MetaOx, a combined FDNIRS-DCS instrument for monitoring the cerebral oxygen metabolism (CMRO2) in infants using non-invasive optical techniques.  
Developed in collaboration with Prof. Franceschini of the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Prof. Yodh of the University of Pennsylvania, the instrument combines two advanced optical technologies – frequency-domain near-infrared tissue oximeter (FDNIRS) and diffusion correlation spectroscopy (DCS) – to meet a range of research and clinical needs.
Rapid and accurate assessment of cerebral metabolism at bedside is critical to improving patient management in neonatology. Currently, though, there is no bedside tool that can accurately screen for brain injury, monitor injury evolution or assess response to therapy. MetaOx addresses this by offering a direct measure of cerebral oxygen utilization, which provides higher sensitivity in detecting brain injury and an ability to monitor both normal and abnormal brain development.
More information @ http://www.iss.com/biomedical/instruments/metaox.html