Rapid and Reliable Determination of Chemical Species in Human Breath Using Continuous Wave Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy

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This project is focused on an apparatus that offers non-invasive, low cost and early detection of lung cancer. It is based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) of the composition of human breath. Picomole Inc, based in Moncton New-Brunswick, has shown that patients with lung cancer exhale specific compounds with a signature in the mid-infrared (mid-IR). In order to be effective, the diagnostic needs accurate measurement of absorption at several wavelengths in the mid-IR, which is feasible with CRDS. The goal of this project is to increase the reliability of the measurements and validate the methodology with a proof-of-concept prototype, which was recently completed. This will be done by enhancing the capabilities of the device, e.g., by reducing the measurement time, increasing the frequency, modal and power stability of the laser sources, increasing the number of available wavelengths and increasing the coupling efficiency to the lasers to the CRDS cavity. Early detection of pulmonary diseases will be a game changer in cancerotherapy by eliminating time-consuming invasive surgery and producing a substantial increase of the survival rate of lung cancer patients. Drawing on the expertise of the Thin Films and Photonics Research Group at the Université de Moncton, this project will contribute to improving the competiveness of Picomole's breath-analysis device. The success of this project will further strengthen the position of New Brunswick and Canada as a world leader in the bio-medical industry.