Near-infrared spectroscopy: A methodology-focused review

Abstract 

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a light-based technology used to monitor tissue oxygen status. Refinements to the method since it was first described have extended its applicability to different research and clinical settings due to its non-invasiveness, instrument portability and ease of use.

Classic NIRS recordings, based in the Beer-Lambert law, can be used for the trend monitoring of changes in tissue perfusion-oxygenation parting from an arbitrary zero point. However, in order to derive intermittently quantitative values in absolute terms, certain manoeuvres must be performed. More recently, the evolution of the technique has led to the development of instruments that provide an absolute value of regional hemoglobin saturation in a continuous manner.

This review will focus on the physical principles of tissue spectroscopy including a brief description of the different operating principles that are currently in use or under development. The theoretical details, experimental procedures and data analysis involved in the measurements of physiological variables using NIRS will be described. The future beyond the scope of NIRS and potential lines of research will also be discussed.

Keywords: Cerebral blood flow, Cerebral blood volume, Fractional oxygen extraction, Near-infrared spectroscopy, Peripheral blood flow, Venous oxygen saturation