🧠 Proof-of-Concept Publication: BOSoMetre – A Low-Cost, Open-Source CSF Monitoring Device
We’re proud to share that our project BOSoMetre (CSF-o-Metre) has been officially published in the Journal of Neurosurgery as a proof-of-concept study!
This is not so much Spine related, but was my dissertation and is still an open source project that aligns with my goals with this organization.
📄 Citation
Akbulut BB, Gürses BO, Özgül S, Bölük MS, Yurtseven T, Biçeroğlu H.
Proof-of-concept study of noninvasive, rapid, machine learning–enhanced, color-based CSF diagnostics: a novel approach to external ventricular drain infection screening. Journal of Neurosurgery. Published online September 19, 2025.
DOI: 10.3171/2025.5.JNS25628
💡 What is BOSoMetre?
BOSoMetre is an open-source, low-cost (< €100) device designed to continuously monitor cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with external ventricular drains (EVD).
It uses an Arduino microcontroller and a TCS3200 color sensor housed in a 3D-printed optical chamber to detect subtle color and clarity changes in the CSF—potentially signaling early infection.
All components are readily available and 3D-printable, making the system ideal for resource-limited neurosurgical centers.
🧠 Study Highlights
- Real-time optical monitoring of red, green, blue, and clear light channels through the drainage tubing
- 4.8 million data points analyzed using machine learning algorithms
- Accuracy up to 90.4% (KNN) and 81.1% (Random Forest with leave-one-patient-out cross-validation)
- Demonstrated high specificity, reducing unnecessary sampling and iatrogenic infection risk
🔬 Why It Matters
Infections remain one of the most serious complications of EVD use.
BOSoMetre introduces a noninvasive, continuous, and affordable monitoring approach—a step toward AI-assisted infection detection and improved patient safety in neurosurgical care.
🌍 Open-Source Philosophy
True to the SpineForge mission, BOSoMetre was created as a fully open-source medical technology.
All design files, firmware, and validation data are available for free and open use on GitHub:
👉 https://github.com/AkbulutBB/BOSoMetre/tree/main/FinalSubmissionFiles
This repository includes:
- STL files for 3D-printed components
- Arduino firmware and wiring schematics
- Machine learning validation scripts
- Final submission documentation and datasets
🔗 Learn More
📖 Full article at Journal of Neurosurgery
💻 Open-source files on GitHub
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