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

 描述(申请人提供)：该项目将开发近红外(NIR)多个频率的扫描波长激光光源。虽然适用于多种应用，但目标是将这些激光光源用作漫反射光谱成像(DOSI)的使能技术，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。在这个第二阶段的项目中，光源将被调整到三个特定的波长范围，这三个波长范围对于检测三种最具吸收能力的近红外组织吸收剂的分子状态是有用的：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3x3 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，将极大地扩展光学成像的技术能力和临床适用性，以及将其纳入研究研究所带来的科学知识。扫描光源的技术是基于垂直腔面发射激光器(VCSEL)和允许宽调谐的微电子机械系统(MEMS)。这些设备需要非常低的功率才能运行，制造平台坚固耐用、成本低，可适应多种应用。该项目的一期工程已经展示了一台输出功率为1 mW、调谐范围为15 nm的扫频光源样机。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35-50 nm的连续可调谐，这是手持DOSI系统的实际要求。扫描的近红外源将改善DOSI仪器的性能和商业化潜力，因为它允许3D地下成像，通过向探测器提供更高的光子强度来提高图像的信噪比，并允许设备的小型化，使其与常规临床用途兼容。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领域，可以受益于小型化的扫频光源。

 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.