Detector location selection based on VIP analysis in near-infrared detection of dural hematoma

Detection of dural hematoma based on multi-channel near-infrared differential absorbance has the advantages of rapid and non-invasive detection. The location and number of detectors around the light source are critical for reducing the pathological characteristics of the prediction model on dural hematoma degree. Therefore, rational selection of detector numbers and their distances from the light source is very important. In this paper, a detector position screening method based on Variable Importance in the Projection (VIP) analysis is proposed. A preliminary modeling based on Partial Least Squares method (PLS) for the prediction of dural position μ(a) was established using light absorbance information from 30 detectors located 2.0–5.0 cm from the light source with a 0.1 cm interval. The mean relative error (MRE) of the dural position μ(a) prediction model was 4.08%. After VIP analysis, the number of detectors was reduced from 30 to 4 and the MRE of the dural position μ(a) prediction was reduced from 4.08% to 2.06% after the reduction in detector numbers. The prediction model after VIP detector screening still showed good prediction of the epidural position μ(a). This study provided a new approach and important reference on the selection of detector location in near-infrared dural hematoma detection.