Low-cost, smartphone-based instant three-dimensional registration system for infant functional near-infrared spectroscopy applications

Significance To effectively apply functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)/diffuse optical tomography (DOT) devices, a three-dimensional (3D) model of the position of each optode on a subject’s scalp and the positions of that subject’s cranial landmarks are critical. Obtaining this information accurately in infants, who rarely stop moving, is an ongoing challenge. Aim We propose a smartphone-based registration system that can potentially achieve a full-head 3D scan of a 6-month-old infant instantly. Approach The proposed system is remotely controlled by a custom-designed Bluetooth controller. The scanned images can either be manually or automatically aligned to generate a 3D head surface model. Results A full-head 3D scan of a 6-month-old infant can be achieved within 2 s via this system. In testing on a realistic but static infant head model, the average Euclidean error of optode position using this device was 1.8 mm. Conclusions This low-cost 3D registration system therefore has the potential to permit accurate and near-instant fNIRS/DOT spatial registration.