Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability among military personnel, Veterans, and civilians. One of the most dangerous complications of moderate-to-severe TBI is intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). If not identified and treated promptly, ICH can rapidly lead to worsening neurological damage or death. Current diagnostic tools, such as CT scans, are highly effective but impractical for battlefield or resource-limited environments due to their large size and infrastructure dependency. The Near-Infrared Detection-Head Imaging (NIRD-HI) system is an innovative, noninvasive device using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to identify abnormal blood accumulation. Unlike traditional tools, NIRD-HI is compact, lightweight, and portable, making it suitable for remote or austere settings. By dynamically imaging the brain, it generates 3D visualizations that pinpoint the size and location of bleeds, including complex bilateral injuries. This offers a significant improvement over current point-of-injury technologies that lack the resolution to reliably diagnose all forms of ICH. This study supports the FY24 Combat Readiness Medical Research Program by advancing battlefield diagnostic and triage capabilities. The research will: * Evaluate NIRD-HI's accuracy compared to CT imaging. * Assess feasibility in real-world acute care settings. * Investigate its ability to monitor changes in ICH over time. These objectives address the military's need for tools that improve rapid diagnosis and decision-making during emergencies. Implementing this research can revolutionize TBI management. For Service Members, NIRD-HI promises a field-ready solution for early detection, enabling faster intervention and more effective triage. By reducing diagnostic delays, it could save lives and prevent long-term complications. Furthermore, the system supports prolonged field care by providing continuous monitoring of evolving injuries. The benefits extend to civilian healthcare, particularly in rural or underserved areas lacking advanced imaging. This accessibility can improve trauma care outcomes for millions, reduce the burden on healthcare systems, and provide equitable distribution of life-saving technology. By addressing gaps in battlefield medicine, this project aims to enhance medical readiness and improve survivability in the most challenging environments.
Age range
18 Years – 89 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Diagnostic Performance
Timeframe: Baseline, at time of NIRD-HI testing administered
Feasibility Assessment - Scan Time
Timeframe: Enrollment through study completion, an average of 1 year
Feasibility Assessment - Operator Usability
Timeframe: Near the end of recruitment period, an average of 1 year
Feasibility Assessment - Device Integration
Timeframe: Enrollment through study completion, an average of 1 year
Monitoring of ICH Progression
Timeframe: Baseline, at time of NIRD-HI testing administered