Michael Barbella, Managing Editor10.09.23
Kernel has unveiled its Flow2 system—technology it characterizes as a "major leap forward" in functional neuroimaging. With Flow2, researchers and clinicians have access to robust, fMRI-like functional neuroimaging in a quick and user-friendly headset, making precision neuromedicine more accessible, according to the company.
Flow2 incorporates state-of-the-art time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-fNIRS) technology and electroencephalography (EEG). This unique combination provides a comprehensive view of brain activity, enabling researchers and clinicians to delve deeper into the brain's intricate workings. TD-fNIRS measures changes in oxygenation levels in the brain's cortical regions, offering high-resolution insights similar to fMRI, while EEG captures the electrical brain waves, providing additional information about neural dynamics. This integration of TD-fNIRS and EEG in Flow2 coupled with the ease of use, portability and scalability, unlocks unprecedented possibilities for studying brain function, developing robust biomarkers, and deeply characterizing new therapies.
"Flow2 is a game-changer in the field of neuroimaging," Kernel CEO Ryan Field, Ph.D., said. "We now have a tool that can generate sufficient data to feed modern AI tools and draw new insights that will power the emerging field of precision neuromedicine. There are many questions that have yet to be answered because a standardized, robust, and scalable source of functional brain data was unavailable, until now."
The Flow technology has been validated through a series of publications demonstrating both the raw system performance and its ability to measure meaningful responses to psychoactive substances. Flow2 builds on these successes and has been launched into a number of research settings as Kernel starts to build the next generation of use cases around highly-scalable neuroimaging.
"Our team has been working for five years to perfect the technology inside of Flow2 and it’s now ready for widespread use," Field noted. "Our mission at Kernel is to use Flow2 to build the world's most comprehensive portfolio of brain-based biomarkers. The robust and information-rich biomarkers that we’re building are going to enable completely new types of neuroscience development to be done.”
Kernel develops neuroimaging technology aimed at advancing precision neuromedicine. By developing accessible solutions, Kernel strives to build the world's most comprehensive portfolio of brain-based biomarkers, revolutionizing mental and brain health treatment.
Flow2 incorporates state-of-the-art time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-fNIRS) technology and electroencephalography (EEG). This unique combination provides a comprehensive view of brain activity, enabling researchers and clinicians to delve deeper into the brain's intricate workings. TD-fNIRS measures changes in oxygenation levels in the brain's cortical regions, offering high-resolution insights similar to fMRI, while EEG captures the electrical brain waves, providing additional information about neural dynamics. This integration of TD-fNIRS and EEG in Flow2 coupled with the ease of use, portability and scalability, unlocks unprecedented possibilities for studying brain function, developing robust biomarkers, and deeply characterizing new therapies.
"Flow2 is a game-changer in the field of neuroimaging," Kernel CEO Ryan Field, Ph.D., said. "We now have a tool that can generate sufficient data to feed modern AI tools and draw new insights that will power the emerging field of precision neuromedicine. There are many questions that have yet to be answered because a standardized, robust, and scalable source of functional brain data was unavailable, until now."
The Flow technology has been validated through a series of publications demonstrating both the raw system performance and its ability to measure meaningful responses to psychoactive substances. Flow2 builds on these successes and has been launched into a number of research settings as Kernel starts to build the next generation of use cases around highly-scalable neuroimaging.
"Our team has been working for five years to perfect the technology inside of Flow2 and it’s now ready for widespread use," Field noted. "Our mission at Kernel is to use Flow2 to build the world's most comprehensive portfolio of brain-based biomarkers. The robust and information-rich biomarkers that we’re building are going to enable completely new types of neuroscience development to be done.”
Kernel develops neuroimaging technology aimed at advancing precision neuromedicine. By developing accessible solutions, Kernel strives to build the world's most comprehensive portfolio of brain-based biomarkers, revolutionizing mental and brain health treatment.