Optical sensor for seizure detection

Iain A. Campbell; James A. McDermott; Graham A. Turnbull; Ifor D. W. Samuel

doi:10.1117/12.3084500

Optical sensor for seizure detection

Iain A. Campbell, James A. McDermott, Graham A. Turnbull^*, Ifor D. W. Samuel^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Epileptic seizures require timely detection for effective care. Traditional methods like EMG, ECG, and accelerometry can have challenges with electrode placement, electromagnetic interference, and inability to distinguish isometric from isotonic contractions. We present a wearable optical sensor using an infrared LED and four photodiodes on a flexible substrate to detect backscattered light from muscle fibers, differentiating contraction types and avoiding interference. Tested on human biceps, the sensor accurately tracked muscle dynamics and identified seizure-like activity, including tonic and myoclonic patterns, via frequency analysis (~5Hz signature). This approach enables a route to precise, non-invasive, real-time seizure monitoring.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Biophotonics in exercise science, sports medicine, health monitoring technologies, and wearables VII
Editors	Babak Shadgan, Amir H. Gandjbakhche
Place of Publication	Bellingham, WA
Publisher	SPIE
Number of pages	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3084500
Publication status	Published - 5 Mar 2026
Event	SPIE Photonics West 2026: Biophotonics in Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, Health Monitoring Technologies, and Wearables VII - San Francisco, San Francisco, United States Duration: 17 Jan 2026 → 23 Jan 2026 Conference number: 13845 https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-SPIE/13845.toc

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of SPIE
Volume	13845
ISSN (Print)	0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)	1996-756X

Conference

Conference	SPIE Photonics West 2026
Country/Territory	United States
City	San Francisco
Period	17/01/26 → 23/01/26
Internet address	https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-SPIE/13845.toc

Keywords

Epilepsy
Muscle contraction sensor
Tonic seizure
Myoclonic seizure
Anisotropic backscatter

Access to Document

10.1117/12.3084500

Campbell_2026_SPIE_Optical-sensor-seizure-detection_AAM_CCBY
Copyright © 2026 the Authors. This work has been made available online in accordance with the University of St Andrews Open Access policy. This accepted manuscript is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3084500
Accepted author manuscript, 642 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

@inproceedings{6b520823ebc34ff99073d050a03f05c1,

title = "Optical sensor for seizure detection",

abstract = "Epileptic seizures require timely detection for effective care. Traditional methods like EMG, ECG, and accelerometry can have challenges with electrode placement, electromagnetic interference, and inability to distinguish isometric from isotonic contractions. We present a wearable optical sensor using an infrared LED and four photodiodes on a flexible substrate to detect backscattered light from muscle fibers, differentiating contraction types and avoiding interference. Tested on human biceps, the sensor accurately tracked muscle dynamics and identified seizure-like activity, including tonic and myoclonic patterns, via frequency analysis (\textasciitilde{}5Hz signature). This approach enables a route to precise, non-invasive, real-time seizure monitoring.",

keywords = "Epilepsy, Muscle contraction sensor, Tonic seizure, Myoclonic seizure, Anisotropic backscatter",

author = "Campbell, \{Iain A.\} and McDermott, \{James A.\} and Turnbull, \{Graham A.\} and Samuel, \{Ifor D. W.\}",

note = "Funding: The authors acknowledge funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (grant number EP/N509759/1).; SPIE Photonics West 2026 : Biophotonics in Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, Health Monitoring Technologies, and Wearables VII ; Conference date: 17-01-2026 Through 23-01-2026",

year = "2026",

month = mar,

day = "5",

doi = "10.1117/12.3084500",

language = "English",

series = "Proceedings of SPIE",

publisher = "SPIE",

editor = "Babak Shadgan and Gandjbakhche, \{Amir H.\}",

booktitle = "Biophotonics in exercise science, sports medicine, health monitoring technologies, and wearables VII",

address = "United States",

url = "https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-SPIE/13845.toc",

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Campbell, IA, McDermott, JA, Turnbull, GA & Samuel, IDW 2026, Optical sensor for seizure detection. in B Shadgan & AH Gandjbakhche (eds), Biophotonics in exercise science, sports medicine, health monitoring technologies, and wearables VII., 138450A, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 13845, SPIE, Bellingham, WA, SPIE Photonics West 2026, San Francisco, California, United States, 17/01/26. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3084500

Optical sensor for seizure detection. / Campbell, Iain A.; McDermott, James A.; Turnbull, Graham A. et al.
Biophotonics in exercise science, sports medicine, health monitoring technologies, and wearables VII. ed. / Babak Shadgan; Amir H. Gandjbakhche. Bellingham, WA: SPIE, 2026. 138450A (Proceedings of SPIE; Vol. 13845).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Optical sensor for seizure detection

AU - Campbell, Iain A.

AU - McDermott, James A.

AU - Turnbull, Graham A.

AU - Samuel, Ifor D. W.

N1 - Conference code: 13845

PY - 2026/3/5

Y1 - 2026/3/5

N2 - Epileptic seizures require timely detection for effective care. Traditional methods like EMG, ECG, and accelerometry can have challenges with electrode placement, electromagnetic interference, and inability to distinguish isometric from isotonic contractions. We present a wearable optical sensor using an infrared LED and four photodiodes on a flexible substrate to detect backscattered light from muscle fibers, differentiating contraction types and avoiding interference. Tested on human biceps, the sensor accurately tracked muscle dynamics and identified seizure-like activity, including tonic and myoclonic patterns, via frequency analysis (~5Hz signature). This approach enables a route to precise, non-invasive, real-time seizure monitoring.

AB - Epileptic seizures require timely detection for effective care. Traditional methods like EMG, ECG, and accelerometry can have challenges with electrode placement, electromagnetic interference, and inability to distinguish isometric from isotonic contractions. We present a wearable optical sensor using an infrared LED and four photodiodes on a flexible substrate to detect backscattered light from muscle fibers, differentiating contraction types and avoiding interference. Tested on human biceps, the sensor accurately tracked muscle dynamics and identified seizure-like activity, including tonic and myoclonic patterns, via frequency analysis (~5Hz signature). This approach enables a route to precise, non-invasive, real-time seizure monitoring.

KW - Epilepsy

KW - Muscle contraction sensor

KW - Tonic seizure

KW - Myoclonic seizure

KW - Anisotropic backscatter

U2 - 10.1117/12.3084500

DO - 10.1117/12.3084500

M3 - Conference contribution

T3 - Proceedings of SPIE

BT - Biophotonics in exercise science, sports medicine, health monitoring technologies, and wearables VII

A2 - Shadgan, Babak

A2 - Gandjbakhche, Amir H.

PB - SPIE

CY - Bellingham, WA

T2 - SPIE Photonics West 2026

Y2 - 17 January 2026 through 23 January 2026

ER -

Optical sensor for seizure detection

Abstract

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Keywords

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