Anita Mahadevan-Jansen | Vanderbilt University - Estados Unidos

Abstract

Our current research involves the use of Raman spectroscopy for cancer detection. Previously in our studies we used a macro Raman or an optical fiber have been used. Our goal now is to study biological tissue with better spatial resolution and at different depth. To this end, we intend to built a bench-top confocal Raman microscope (CRM) which allows the acquisition of Raman spectra from fixed measurement volumes (and depths). This depth discrimination ability is critical to the minimization of intrinsic inter- and intra-patient variability in skin Raman spectra, for example. Currently, a simple Dispersive Raman system has been set up in our laboratory. We would like now to design and construct a set up for the CRM. This device will be used to characterize the Raman spectra of cancers and normal tissues in situ. The end goal will be a noninvasive technique to allow rapid diagnosis of skin cancers/tumor margins in vivo. (AU)