Compact Swept Near-Infrared Light Source for Broadband Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Imaging of Breast Malignancies

 描述（由申请人提供）：本项目将开发近红外（NIR）中几个频率的扫频波长激光光源。虽然适用于许多应用，但目标是将这些激光源用作漫射光学光谱成像（DOSI）的启用技术，该技术允许对人体组织进行非侵入性表征，并可以监测和预测乳腺癌治疗中的化疗反应。在第二阶段项目中，光源将适应三个特定的波长范围，这三个波长范围可用于检测三种吸收最强的近红外组织吸收剂的分子状态：血红蛋白（785-820 nm）、脂质（910-950 nm）和水（950-1000 nm）。这三个光源将被集成到一个微型3 x 3 mm近红外激光模块中，用于手持成像系统。这是一项使能技术，将大大扩展光学成像的技术能力和临床适用性，以及将其纳入研究的科学知识。扫频光源的技术基于垂直腔面发射激光器（VCSEL）和允许宽调谐性的微机电系统（MEMS）。这些器件需要非常低的功率来操作，并且制造平台是鲁棒的、低成本的，并且适用于许多应用。该项目的第一阶段已经展示了一个原型扫频激光源，输出功率为1 mW，调谐范围为15 nm。第二阶段将在这些结果的基础上进行改进，以实现5 mW的光功率和在35-50 nm范围内的连续可调谐性，这是手持式DOSI系统的实际要求。扫频NIR源将通过允许3D表面下成像、通过向检测器提供高得多的光子强度来改善图像的信噪比以及允许装置的小型化以使其与常规临床使用兼容来改善DOSI仪器的性能和商业化潜力。此外，这种激光器独特的光谱和性能特性开辟了广泛的生物医学和其他应用，可以受益于小型化扫频源。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project will develop swept-wavelength laser light sources at several frequencies in the near infrared (NIR). While applicable to numerous applications, the goal is to use these laser sources as an enabling technology for Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Imaging (DOSI), a technique which allows noninvasive characterization of human tissue and can monitor and predict chemotherapy response in the treatment of breast cancer. During this Phase II project, the sources will be adapted to three specific wavelength ranges that are useful in detecting molecular states of the three most absorbent NIR tissue absorbers: hemoglobin (785-820 nm), lipid (910-950 nm), and water (950-1000 nm). The three light sources will be integrated into a miniature 3 x 3mm NIR laser module for use in a handheld imaging system. This is an enabling technology that will greatly expand technical capability and clinical applicability of optical imaging, as well as the scientific knowledge that will result fro its incorporation into research studies. The technology for the swept optical sources is based on a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) that allows for wide tunability. The devices require very low power to operate and the fabrication platform is robust, low cost, and adaptable to many applications. Phase I of this project has already demonstrated a prototype swept laser source capable of 1mW output power and 15nm tuning range. Phase II will improve upon these results to realize 5mW optical power and continuous tunability over 35-50 nm, which are practical requirements for a hand-held DOSI system. The swept NIR source will improve the performance and commercialization potential of a DOSI instrument by allowing 3D subsurface imaging, improving the signal to noise ratio of the image by delivering a much higher photon intensity to the detector, and allowing the miniaturization of the device so that it is compatible with routine clinical use. Furthermore, the unique spectral and performance characteristics of this laser open up a wide range of biomedical and other applications that can benefit from a miniaturized swept-source.