Optical Instrumentation for Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Presentation of theoretical foundations of each topic supported with examples and applications in the biomedical engineering field.
Problem solving during the lessons by student groups and with orientation.
Introduction of various problems, covering a significant set of the programme topics, each one to be solved by each student group during the semester, with orientation in classes, for which it is demanded to use correctly data sheets of devices and components.
Oral presentation of the main conclusions of this work by each student group as well as a small written report.
Compulsory attendance of seminars about biomedical applications of optical instrumentation.
Elaboration by the students of an individual short written summary describing the main learning outcomes from one of the seminars.
Introduction and discussion of scientific papers about the state of the art in the field of optical instrumentation for diagnostic and therapeutics.
Final written exam.

At the end of this course unit it is intended that the students will be able to:
Characterize the main light source types, to describe the operation of a laser and its biomedical applications.
Describe the principles of optical sensors, the fiber optics operating modes and its application as an optical sensor.
Characterize the various light detectors types and other optical components of optical instrumentation for biomedical applications.
Depict the main physical phenomena of light – tissue interaction and its biological origin.
Characterize some of the main optical instruments used in diagnostic and therapeutic applications based on its physical principles, and to describe its operation and composition.
Distinguish the two main therapeutic effects of laser and to identify its main medical areas of application.
Enumerate some light applications for diagnostic and therapy and to describe commercial products, devices, and systems using their data sheets/application notes.

1. Light Sources:
– Main characteristcs
– Types
– Biomedical applications
2. Optical Sensors
– Main principles
– Fiber optics
– Biomedical applications
3. Detectors
– Point type
– Array type
– Biomedical applications
4. Main Optical Components of Biomedical Optical Instrumentation
– Lenses
– Mirrors
– Beamsplitters
– Filters
– Examples
5. Light – Tissue Interaction
– Fundamentals of light propagation in biological tissues
– Physical interaction of light and its biological origin: absorption, scattering, polarization, and fluorescence
6. Optical Instrumentation for Diagnostics and Therapeutics: some examples and its operating principles
– Spectroscopy
– Microscopy
– Endoscopy
– Lasers
7. Light Applications for Diagnostics and Therapeutics: study of some specific commercial instrumentation
– Blood glucose monitorization
– Oximetry
– Blood gases measurements (pO2, pCO2, pH)

NAO