Clinically Compatible Optical Instrumentation and Analytical Methods

Optical spectroscopy and imaging provide information about biochemical, functional and structural changes of bio-molecular complexes in tissues that occur as a result of either pathological transformation or therapeutic intervention. Early detection, diagnosis and monitoring of pathological conditions using, for example, fluorescence spectroscopy of tissues may lead to more effective treatment of critical diseases including atherosclerosis and cancer. Because fluorescence-based devices allow light delivery and collection using fiberoptic probes, these devices not only can facilitate non- or minimally invasive investigations of tissues with catheters or endoscopy probes, but also can enhance the diagnostic capability of traditional clinical devices.

Our objective is to develop instrumentation and associated practical methodologies for lifetime fluorescence spectroscopy of tissues that account for clinical needs, provide fast diagnosis and enable minimally invasive surgery. These include:

  • Fast fluorescence data acquisition with high temporal resolution within a broad range of emission wavelengths
  • Fast data processing, analysis and display
  • Compact and mobile/portable instrumentation
We have addressed the development of such technology at three levels including:
  • Engineering and development of versatile, mobile and automated fiberoptic-based lifetime fluorescence apparatus
  • Development of new computational approaches for fast and accurate analysis of time-resolved data
  • Optimization of fiberoptic probe designs for specific applications
Recently we developed a robust multimodality time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy system capable of rapid fluorescence data acquisition with high temporal resolution and sensitivity within a broad range of emission wavelengths. The robust modular design of this instrument enables non- or minimally invasive detection, diagnosis, localization and staging of cancer and atherosclerotic plaques; monitoring of treatment effectiveness at real time; and optical spectroscopy-guided biopsy and surgery. The apparatus is currently used for intraoperative detection of brain tumor margins and analysis of atherosclerotic plaque composition.