A study, completed in late August 2025 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40835724/), has validated SeeMe, a computer vision tool that could transform how doctors assess consciousness in comatose brain injury patients. The research from Stony Brook University, started in 2019, demonstrates that SeeMe can detect subtle facial movements indicating awareness days before clinicians recognize recovery signs.

SeeMe uses high-resolution cameras to track facial pore movements with sub-millimeter precision, analyzing responses to voice commands like “open your eyes” or “stick out your tongue.” In tests, the system consistently detected eye-opening responses several days earlier than clinical examination and identified consciousness in significantly more patients compared to standard bedside assessments.

These tests show that this new technology addresses a critical gap in patient care, as many brain injury patients may be covertly conscious despite appearing unresponsive. These micro-movements, invisible to the human eye, correlate with better recovery outcomes and can inform crucial treatment decisions.

Researchers plan to integrate SeeMe with brain monitoring technologies like EEG (electroencephalogram) to develop comprehensive consciousness assessment tools. The hope is that this system could guide rehabilitation timing, facilitate family discussions, and potentially enable communication interfaces for patients previously thought unreachable. As a healthcare advances, SeeMe represents a significant step toward more precise, objective neurological assessment.