NIRS Head Probe Kits

The Head Probe Kit comes with a utility knife, marker, hole punch, adhesive-backed Velcro, a plastic sheet, a head gear template, and these instructions. Questions? Send them to gwkrauss@nmr.mgh.harvard.edu.

Step 1: Cut out paper template using utility knife.	This is the paper template after being cut out.
Step 2: Transfer shape of template to plastic sheet using the marker.	These marks will guide you in cutting out the head gear shape.
Step 3: Use ample pressure to cut along the lines. Press out the plastic shape. The cutout should look like a clone of the paper template.	Step 4: Choose and mark the hole locations you will use for your probe design. In this example, we have selected a 4 hole by 3 row pattern.
Step 5: Placing the paper template on top of the plastic cutout, you can now punch holes through the paper and plastic.	The plastic cutout should like about like this.
Step 6: Decide the length of Velcro straps you will need. Too long is better than too short as you can always cut off extra at the end. Cut the soft furry Velcro strips first. In this example, we cut; 3 19” strips, 1 2” strip, and one 7” strip.	Step 7: This side of the probe will be against the subject’s skin. Peel the wrapping off of the strips to expose the adhesive backing and attach them to the plastic cutout. Be careful not to let the strips stick to each other, or anything else.
Step 8: The procedure for the harder plastic side of the Velcro is similar. In our example, we cut; 6 8” strips, 1 7” strip, and 1 2” strip. Line them up, sticky side to sticky side, with the Velcro strips from step 7, and stick them together.	This picture shows a Velcro strap made of the two types of Velcro stuck together.
Step 9: Make a head band strap like this. This one is 29” and is definitely more than you will need. Remember, the soft, fuzzy/furry side of the Velcro always goes against the skin. The harder plastic side is uncomfortable.	Step 10: Before using the head gear, use the hole punch once again through the existing holes. This is to make holes in the Velcro. You’re done. You can attach this type of head gear as shown.
Here, two head gear units are used together to image two sides of the brain. You can roll up the excess Velcro as shown, or cut off the excess.