Collaborative Research: Development and Evaluation of Reflective THz Medical Imaging for Skin Burns

目的研制一种皮肤烧伤医学影像系统。初步结果表明，反射式太赫兹(THz)成像系统可用于高分辨率和高组织条件对比度的猪皮肤烧伤成像。智能优点建议的系统方法基于传统雷达技术，显著简化了系统组件，实现了接近实时的太赫兹成像。采用脉冲光导开关作为宽带、自由空间耦合的太赫兹发射机，在时间门控接收机的前端采用天线耦合的零偏置肖特基二极管整流器。在拟议的工作过程中获取的体外数据和体内数据都将建立皮肤烧伤的太赫兹成像能力，并为未来的工作和向科学界传播提供大量图像数据。更广泛的影响除了直接的工程和医学益处外，拟议的研究还将通过创造各种机会，如校际研讨会，促进两个校区的教师、临床医生、博士后研究人员、研究生和本科生之间的有意义的互动，从而促进学生的学习和教学。例如，UCSB将在2008年秋季开设一门关于太赫兹科学与技术的新课程，将把电气工程、物理、化学和生物的学生带入一个真正的跨学科学习环境。

ObjectiveThe objective of this work is to develop a medical imaging system for skin burns. Preliminary results indicate that a reflective terahertz (THz) imaging system can be used to image burns on porcine skin with high resolution and high tissue-condition contrast. Intellectual MeritThe proposed system approach is based on conventional radar technology and significantly simplifies the system components and enables near real-time THz imaging. A pulsed photoconductive switch is used as the broadband, free-space-coupled THz transmitter, and an antenna-coupled, zero-bias Schottky diode rectifier is used in the front-end of a time-gated receiver. Both in-vitro data and in-vivo data taken over the course of the proposed work will establish the capabilities of THz imaging of skin burns, and provide a large set of imagery data for future work and for dissemination to the scientific community. Broader ImpactIn addition to the direct engineering and medical benefits, the proposed research will also promote student learning and teaching by creating a variety of opportunities, such as intercampus seminars, for meaningful interaction between faculty, clinicians, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students on both campuses. For example, a new course on THz Science and Technology will be offered on the UCSB campus Fall of 2008 and will bring in students from Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology to a truly interdisciplinary learning environment.