Michal Balberg

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive method for monitoring brain activity by detecting hemodynamic changes. Studies have shown that it can identify ictal and pre-ictal hemodynamic variations, supporting its potential use as a complement to electroencephalography (EEG) in epilepsy monitoring. This study explores an expanded illumination and detection approach utilizing wide-based optodes and increased emitter–detector separation (EDS) to enhance fNIRS sensitivity to cortical hemodynamic changes while minimizing scalp contamination. A Monte Carlo simulation was designed to assess signal amplitude and sensitivity of fNIRS with varying emitter and detector diameters (1–15 mm) and EDS (30–50 mm). Signal strength, grey matter to scalp path ratio (GSPR), and percentage signal change per absorption coefficients (AC) variation were analyzed. Sensitivity to changes in AC of superficial and deep grey matter (SGM, DGM) and scalp was assessed. Increasing emitter and detector diameters substantially increased total detected photon packet weights, enabling practical use at larger EDS. Sensitivity to SGM AC changes tripled at 50 mm EDS, while GSPR increased by 80%, indicating reduced signal contamination from the scalp. Sensitivity to deep cortical hemodynamic changes also improved. Therefore, wide-based fNIRS optodes with increased EDS can enhance seizure-related hemodynamic detection, potentially improving epilepsy diagnostics.

Contribution: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a dedicated soft skills (SSs) course in an electrical engineering (EE) undergraduate program, showing improvements in students’ appreciation and satisfaction of expressing most of these skills. Background: SSs, encompassing interpersonal and social competencies, are important for career success in engineering. However, these skills are often overlooked or only indirectly addressed in EE curricula. This study addresses the need for intentional SSs development in EE education, with potential implications for engineering programs worldwide. Research Questions: How does a dedicated SSs course affect EE students’ perception of the importance of these skills? Does such a course improve students’ satisfaction with their ability to express these skills? Methodology: A dedicated SSs course was designed and implemented for undergraduate EE students. The course explicitly focused on developing teamwork, time management, written and oral communication, and implicitly addressed several other skills. Students’ perceptions of the importance of SSs and their satisfaction with expressing these skills were assessed at the beginning and end of the course using a questionnaire. Findings: While students recognized the importance of SSs before the course, their appreciation for these skills’ contribution to job-seeking and career success increased after completing the course. More significantly, students reported higher levels of satisfaction in expressing several of the targeted skills by the end of the course. These results, though limited to a single course at one institution, suggest the value of incorporating dedicated SSs development into EE curricula.

An implanted fNIRS sensor, integrated within a depth electrode applied during stereo-EEG, was developed. A Monte-Carlo simulation and a phantom model demonstrate the ability to sense deeper into the brain than with non-invasive sensors.

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is modulated by hypercapnia. We demonstrate, using both Acousto-optics and NIRS-CHS, that CBF modulation varies as a function of depth, and its profile is subject and manipulation dependent.

NIRS based, resting state connectivity maps of symmetric brain regions are determined for healthy subjects and patients suffering major depression. Empirical filtering of the oxygenated hemoglobin signals enables a good discrimination between the two groups.

Acousto-optic sensing, using ultrasound-modulated light in live tissue, enables non-invasive, continuous monitoring of blood flow in the brain. Preclinical and clinical data demonstrate agreement with other modalities for blood flow sensing and its benefits.