Miniaturized optical sensing/imaging technology development for environmental and biomedical applications

用于环境和生物医学应用的小型化光学传感/成像技术开发

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-03710
• 负责人: Fang, Qiyin
• 金额: $ 2.26万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=650446
• 关键词: Miniaturized; optical; sensing; imaging; technology

Optical spectroscopy and imaging allow remote, minimally-invasive monitoring of activities; provide morphological information that describes structure/shape; and may be used as a functional diagnostic tool for measuring of biochemical and physiological characteristics. Recent advances of photonics technology are the driving force behind many novel optical devices development. Various optical spectroscopy and imaging technologies have been investigated for applications in life sciences research (e.g. microscopic imaging), environmental sensing (e.g. water quality monitoring) and medical diagnosis (e.g. endoscopic imaging). **In practice, there are strong demands for miniaturized, integrated devices for in-situ applications. For example, in screening of cancers in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, it is highly desired to have encapsulated, functional optical imaging modalities (fluorescence, Raman, etc.) for minimally-invasive detection of malignant lesions. Another example is implantable microfluidic and optical imaging based cellular analysis devices for continuously monitoring of the biochemical and physiological conditions of the patients as well as the environment. **Conventional optical spectroscopy and imaging systems are large, complex and costly optoelectronic instruments comprised of lasers, spectrophotometers, and detectors. Often, their size is the limiting factor for their use in certain applications such as in-situ monitoring of physiological processes and distributed environmental sensing. **Recent advances in micro-photonics and electronic devices have led to small but efficient components/modules such as diode lasers, single photon avalanche diodes detectors, microlenslets, and GRIN optics. When integrated with microfluidics technology, fully integrated devices can be made by Micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) or Micro-optical-electro-mechanical-systems (MOEMS). These technologies are mostly built upon well-established microelectronic technologies for integrated circuitry. When conventional devices are replaced with micro-components, new applications and capabilities can be facilitated. Moreover, it usually leads to significant cost reductions and increases in yield associated with mass production. **Although progresses have been made recently in the development of individual components such as micro-cantilevers, micro gratings, and micro-lens, etc, integration of these components into complete micro-spectroscopic and imaging devices remains as a very challenging problem. For a complete optical spectroscopic/imaging system, more complex components such as miniature light sources, photo detectors, and high-speed electronics are also required. Furthermore, medical and environmental application of these technologies raises new requirements such as toxicity, chemical/biological stability, and sterilization concerns. **The overall objectives of the proposed research program are to (i) develop integrated micro- optical spectroscopic technologies for spectrally- and temporally-resolved optical signal acquisition; (ii) investigate the integration of high speed photo detection modules into the micro-spectrometer; and (iii) development of a fully integrated encapsulated endoscope. The proposed program will be based on the Micro/Nano Systems Lab and focus on integrated device technology development. Its success will allow translation of such technology to applications in biomedical diagnosis, drug discovery, and environmental monitoring.

光谱和成像可以远程、微创地监测活动；提供描述结构/形状的形态信息；并可用作测量生化和生理特征的功能诊断工具。光子技术的最新进展是许多新型光学器件开发的驱动力。人们已经研究了各种光谱和成像技术在生命科学研究（例如显微成像）、环境传感（例如水质监测）和医学诊断（例如内窥镜成像）中的应用。 **在实践中，对于现场应用的小型化、集成器件有强烈的需求。例如，在胃肠道 (GI) 癌症筛查中，非常需要封装的功能性光学成像方式（荧光、拉曼等）来微创检测恶性病变。另一个例子是基于植入式微流体和光学成像的细胞分析装置，用于连续监测患者以及环境的生化和生理状况。 **传统的光谱和成像系统是大型、复杂且昂贵的光电仪器，由激光器、分光光度计和探测器组成。通常，它们的尺寸是其在某些应用中使用的限制因素，例如生理过程的原位监测和分布式环境传感。 **微光子学和电子设备的最新进展催生了小型但高效的组件/模块，例如二极管激光器、单光子雪崩二极管探测器、微透镜和梯度折射率光学器件。当与微流体技术集成时，可以通过微机电系统（MEMS）或微光机电系统（MOEMS）制造完全集成的设备。这些技术大多建立在成熟的集成电路微电子技术之上。 当传统设备被微型元件取代时，可以促进新的应用和功能。 此外，它通常会显着降低成本并提高与大规模生产相关的产量。 **尽管最近在微悬臂梁、微光栅和微透镜等单个组件的开发方面取得了进展，但将这些组件集成到完整的显微光谱和成像设备中仍然是一个非常具有挑战性的问题。 对于完整的光学光谱/成像系统，还需要更复杂的组件，例如微型光源、光电探测器和高速电子器件。此外，这些技术的医疗和环境应用提出了新的要求，例如毒性、化学/生物稳定性和灭菌问题。 **拟议研究计划的总体目标是（i）开发用于光谱和时间分辨光信号采集的集成微光学光谱技术； (ii) 研究将高速光电检测模块集成到微型光谱仪中； (iii) 开发完全集成的封装内窥镜。拟议项目将以微/纳米系统实验室为基础，重点关注集成器件技术开发。它的成功将使此类技术能够应用于生物医学诊断、药物发现和环境监测。