The Detectors research stream aims to explore new applications of the RaII detectors. It is also supporting translation and commercialisation activity around the detectors. The team is eagerly anticipating the release of a new detector in 2022.
Key people:
Inverted Kronoscan system
A new inverted Kronoscan system with live cell imaging functionality was built in 2021. Current research is using brain slice imaging to explore possibilities for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Next steps include developing applications of spectral time-resolved Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET).
The Durham team is testing the LightOx probes with the inverted system to investigate the potential for photodynamic therapy.
Relevant publication:
- Williams, G.O.S., Williams, E., Finlayson, N. et al. Full spectrum fluorescence lifetime imaging with 0.5 nm spectral and 50 ps temporal resolution. Nat Commun 12, 6616 (2021).
Device location
The RaII detectors have been integrated into a camera system for clinical use, with the intention to use widefield single-photon imaging for locating devices in the body. Relevant publications:
- M. G. Tanner, T. R. Choudhary, T. H. Craven, B. Mills, M. Bradley, R. K. Henderson, K. Dhaliwal, and R. R. Thomson, "Ballistic and snake photon imaging for locating optical endomicroscopy fibres," Biomed. Opt. Express 8, 4077 (2017).
- E. P. McShane, H. K. Chandrasekharan, N. Finlayson, A. Erdogan, R. K. Henderson, K. Dhaliwal, R. R. Thomson, and M. G. Tanner, "A CMOS-SPAD Array Line Scanning Imaging System for Biophotonic Applications," in Biophotonics Congress: Biomedical Optics 2020 (Translational, Microscopy, OCT, OTS, BRAIN) (OSA, 2020), p. TW2B.2.
- H. K. Chandrasekharan, E. P. McShane, K. Dhaliwal, R. R. Thomson, and M. G. Tanner, "Ultrafast laser ablation of a multicore polymer optical fiber for multipoint light emission," Opt. Express 29, 20765 (2021).
The Detectors team and Endocam team are working together on widefield time-resolved fluorescence imaging during open surgery to help surgeons assess cancer margins.
Further work on time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy is also underway. Relevant publications:
- K. Ehrlich, T. R. Choudhary, M. Ucuncu, A. Megia-Fernandez, K. Harrington, H. A. C. Wood, F. Yu, D. Choudhury, K. Dhaliwal, M. Bradley, and M. G. Tanner, "Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of Fluorescence Quenching in Optical Fibre-Based pH Sensors", Sensors 20, 6115 (2020).
- K. Ehrlich, S. Duncan, T. R. Choudhary, B. Mills, R. R. Thomson, R. K. Henderson, M. Bradley, K. Dhaliwal, and M. G. Tanner, "Time-resolved single photon spectroscopy for optical fibre-based sensing of bacterial infections in the distal lung", in Biophotonics Congress: Biomedical Optics 2020 (Translational, Microscopy, OCT, OTS, BRAIN) (OSA, 2020), p. TTu2B.3.
- K. Ehrlich, A. Kufcsák, S. McAughtrie, H. Fleming, N. Krstajic, C. J. Campbell, R. K. Henderson, K. Dhaliwal, R. R. Thomson, and M. G. Tanner, "pH sensing through a single optical fibre using SERS and CMOS SPAD line arrays", Opt. Express 25, 30976 (2017).
Collaborations
Through academic collaborations, other groups in the UK are evaluating the RaII sensors, and we are continuing to explore a variety of commercial applications.