Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a valuable physiological parameter for the diagnosis of brain function and disease. A number of optical techniques have been developed to estimate CBF non-invasively with high spatial and temporal resolutions with the benefit that no contrast dyes or surgical procedures are required.

In this project, we present a novel coherence-gated iSVS approach that leverages a low-cost, low-coherence laser diode to selectively filter out photons from superficial layers—eliminating the need for long SD separations. This strategy dramatically improves light throughput and spatial resolution while reducing system cost. Our method offers a practical and scalable solution for high-resolution, depth-sensitive CBF imaging.

To validate the system, experiments were performed using tissue-mimicking phantoms, where a programmable pump generated controlled flow patterns. The results demonstrate the technique’s potential for high-resolution, real-time assessment of cerebral hemodynamics, offering a promising tool for both clinical and research applications.