Identifying patient invariant parameters for diagnosis using terahertz sensing

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Terahertz (1012 Hz, THz) pulsed imaging is a new technique with high resolution and has only emerged recently as a potential new clinical tool for medical imaging. It is a totally non-destructive and non-ionising imaging modality as the average power of the pulse for producing the radiation is as small as 100 nW. The radiation produced is focused onto the sample of interest and then detected coherently. A point measurement is analogous to an ultrasound A-scan. Reflections off different layers are used to determine the structure at various depths. THz light is very sensitive to hydrogen bonds. By Fourier transforming the time-domain data, useful spectroscopic information can also be revealed. Potential applications range from security imaging to medical diagnosis, but the analysis and instrumentation needs to be tailored for each application investigated. THz light can be generated and detected using photoconductive antennas. The useable frequency range of a THz system depends on the photoconductive devices as well as other factors such as optical alignment.We have developed a handheld THz probe that has been used in the first clinical trials of their kind at the University hospital in Coventry. The aim of this project is to take and analyse patient and volunteer data a view to developing classification algorithms for skin conditions. For example, it may be possible to use THz imaging to detect early stages of skin cancer, or the lateral extent of tumours that are beneath the skin's surface, and not yet visible. This project will give the student experience in Optics, coding, signal processing and machine learning.