From Bench to Bedside: Monitoring the Injured Spinal Cord with NIRS

A spinal cord injury diagnosis is life-changing for patients and their families. In acute care, beyond surgery and cardiovascular support, clinicians have limited tools to improve outcomes. Current guidelines recommend increasing blood pressure during the first three to seven days post-injury to enhance spinal cord blood flow. However, it remains unclear whether this approach improves oxygen delivery to the injured spinal cord or risks further damage at the injury site. To address this, we have developed a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor to measure oxygenation and blood flow to the injured spinal cord in real time. Implanted during spinal surgery, the sensor emits near-infrared light into the spinal cord, assessing oxygen delivery based on light absorption. This BC-based study, conducted at Vancouver General Hospital under the leadership of principal investigator Dr. Brian Kwon, aims to recruit six patients with acute spinal cord injuries undergoing surgical repair. The sensor will be implanted during surgery, remain in place for up to seven days post-injury, and then be removed. Our primary objectives are to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of this novel monitoring approach in a clinical setting. Ultimately, our goal is to provide clinicians with real-time information about spinal cord oxygenation and blood flow, enabling personalized care to improve patient outcomes.