Future Goals

With unique capabilities as a functional neuroimaging method, DOT complements and expands upon other more established modalities. In contrast to positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – both of which use large, room-size scanners and require the subject to remain immobile inside a tube – DOT employs a wearable imaging cap. The DOT cap is well-suited for situations not amenable to fixed scanner environments, including moving subjects who might otherwise require sedation, unmovable subjects such as patients in intensive care, and subjects with metal implants. The DOT cap is also beneficial for studies of human development in children involving enriched ecological environments for a wider range of behavioral paradigms.

There is a wide application for the technology’s eventual use. We believe this market could grow quickly and be adopted broadly worldwide, initially for neonates and then extend into other areas. We envision DOT to become the brain equivalent of the pulse oximeter, which is used routinely in hospitals to assess patient status during various procedures. DOT could be used to monitor patients who have head injuries, experienced strokes, or are undergoing intensive procedures such as pulmonary bypass surgery.