PHYSICS SEMINAR
Wednesday,
November 6, 2002, 4:30pm
Willet Science Center 101
“Biomedical
Optical Imaging"
Abstract: The ability of
near-infrared (NIR) light-based techniques to noninvasively image and analyze
tissue structure and function promises their great potential for detection and
diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. Optical diagnostic techniques allow us
to not only enhance the existing capabilities, but to eliminate the need for
physical biopsies. In addition, optical systems are inexpensive and portable,
which indicates that optical methods could be an ideal candidate for routine
clinical screening. However, since the scattering properties of tissues
convolute re-emitted NIR signals, the extraction of pertinent information
continues to remain elusive. An understanding of light propagation and
light-tissue interaction is required before the optical technologies can
substantially impact diagnostic medicine.
Research efforts in the Biomedical Optics Laboratory at
Clemson University are focused on the biophysics of light propagation and
light-tissue interaction in order to engineer appropriate imaging and
spectroscopic approaches for noninvasive early detection and diagnosis of
cancers and joint diseases. Specifically, we are developing indirect optical and
fluorescence imaging approaches using photon migration measurements for
detection and diagnosis of breast cancer and osteoarthritis/rheumatoid
arthritis. We are also exploring spectroscopic methods based on diffusive and
polarized light measurements for in vivo cellular diagnosis of skin and gastrointestinal cancer. In
this talk, we will describe the fundamental principles behind these emerging
imaging and spectroscopic methods and illustrate these principles using
tissue-like phantom experiments. We will also report on our most recent clinical
studies on human subjects in some of these areas. Finally we will discuss new
concepts that combine optical imaging methods with nano-scale
science/technology.
Please
join us for light refreshments at 4:15 outside WSC 109.