FlexNIRS - Cerebral Monitoring App for Harvard Medical
Pain Point
FlexNIRS is an open-source, low-cost wearable cerebral oximeter developed at Massachusetts General Hospital. The device monitors brain oxygen levels via near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), but needed a mobile app for data collection. The research team needed both a detailed interface for experienced researchers and a simplified mode for assistants running routine studies.
Solution
We built a Flutter app for iOS and Android that connects to FlexNIRS via Bluetooth Low Energy. The app has two modes: Expert mode with full signal visualization, raw data access, and advanced configuration; Non-Expert mode with guided setup and simplified controls for research assistants. Real-time charts show cerebral oxygenation (SO2) data at 100 Hz. The app handles device pairing, data logging, and provides immediate feedback on signal quality.
Results
Highlights
- Bluetooth Low Energy connection to FlexNIRS wearable
- Expert mode: full signal visualization and raw data access
- Non-Expert mode: guided setup for research assistants
- Real-time cerebral oxygenation (SO2) charts at 100 Hz
- Signal quality feedback and data logging
Category
Client
Harvard Medical School
Sector
Healthcare
Technology
Flutter
Tech Stack
Year
2022
About the Project Lead
Pierluigi Raffone
10+ years of experience
Engineer and entrepreneur with 10+ years in electronics, firmware, and IoT. Bridges hardware and software to create connected experiences.
