Carla C. Rosa

Fast scanning transmissive delay line for optical coherence tomography

A novel Fourier domain fast scanning optical delay line is proposed in which the walk-off is eliminated by only two passes through a diffraction grating. Working in transmission, the novel delay line is ideal for balanced optical coherence tomography configurations with recirculation of the reference beam. We evaluate theoretically and experimentally its walk-off and dispersion compensation capabilities.

Limitation of the achievable signal-to-noise ratio in optical coherence tomography due to mismatch of the balanced receiver

Owing to the limited spectral response of the fiber directional coupler used in a balanced optical coherence tomography configuration, the spectra are different in the two outputs. This affects unfavorably operation of the balanced photodetector unit. Excess photon noise makes a larger contribution than a directional coupler with a flat spectral response. A theoretical model is developed that shows that an optimum set of parameters may be defined to maximize the achievable signal-to-noise ratio. The model leads to a redefinition of the effective noise bandwidth, which takes into account the nonflat response of the directional coupler used. The model also predicts a limitation on the signal-to-noise ratio even when the stray reflectances in the interferometer are brought to zero.

Optical biosensor based on nitrite reductase immobilised in controlled pore glass

The increasing concentration of nitrite in groundwater, rivers and lakes brings serious risks to the public health and to the environment. The aim of this work was the development of an optical biosensor for quantifying nitrite based on the activity of cytochrome cd(1) nitrite reductase immobilised in controlled pore glass (CPG) beads. The developed biosensor operates by measuring the optical reflectance of nitrite reductase, which shows spectroscopic changes when nitrite reversibly binds to the reduced form and oxidizes the enzyme. The optimisation of the immobilisation procedure showed that the immobilisation efficiency is highly dependent on the pH, being very low at basic pH, and that the maximum capacity of the CPG for the immobilisation of cd(1) was estimated in 57+/-10 mg cd(1)/g CPG. The CPG/cd(1) specific activity remained stable at 4 degrees C, decreasing only 10% in 15 days. No observed effects of the immobilisation on the enzyme characteristics were detected, regarding both the red/ox absorbance spectra and the enzyme specific activity, since the red/ox spectra are in good agreement with similar ones obtained for cd(1) in solution, and the specific activity at time zero (0.6 micromoles of NO(2)(-) reduced min(-1) mg of protein(-1)) is similar to that found for the soluble enzyme. The biosensor shows a sensitive response to increasing concentrations of nitrite in solution, especially at 460 nm, at which it showed higher sensitivity. The corresponding detection limit of 0.93 microM is well below the maximum admissible concentration imposed by European Community norms, of 2.2 microM.

Immunosensors for diagnostic applications

Abstract. Immunosensors can play an important role in the improvement of veterinary diagnostics in areas such as the diagnosis of diseases, drug detection and food quality control, by providing applications with rapid detection, high sensitivity and specificity. Associated with advances in biochemistry, biotechnology, electronics and microfabrication, new transduction devices that translate a biological interaction into an electrical signal have been developed. An overview of the current immunoassay techniques used in standard diagnosis is presented. This includes a brief description of the different immunosensor transducer principles and some examples of present and future developments.

Multiscan time-domain optical coherence tomography for retina imaging

A versatile time-domain optical coherence tomography system is presented that can generate cross-sectional images by using either transverse priority or depth priority scanning. This is made possible by using a transmissive scanning delay line compatible with balance detection operating at a speed similar to that of the transverse scanner used to scan the beam across the target. In vivo images from the retina are generated and shown using the same system switched to either transverse or depth priority scanning regime, by using the scanning delay line either in slow or fast scanning modes, respectively. A comparative analysis of different scanning regimes depending on image size to fit different areas to be imaged is presented. Safety thresholds due to the different continuous irradiation time per transverse pixel in different scanning regimes are also considered. We present the maximum exposure level for a variety of scanning procedures, employing either A scanning (depth priority) or T scanning (transverse priority) when generating cross-sectional images, en face images, or collecting 3D volumes.

Luminescence-Based Optical Fiber Chemical Sensors

Abstract A scheme for the simultaneous determination of temperature and analyte concentration for application in luminescence-based chemical sensors is proposed. This scheme is applied to an optical oxygen sensor, which is based on the quenching of the fluorescence of a ruthenium complex. Temperature measurement is performed using the excitation radiation and an absorption long-pass filter. Preliminary results are presented that show the viability of an oxygen measurement that is independent of temperature and optical power level. The possibility of self-referenced temperature measurements with semiconductor nanoparticles is also investigated. In order to optimize the sensor design, several different optical fiber probe geometries for oxygen sensing are tested and compared, including different methods of coupling radiation into the optical fiber system. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylamide membranes are tested as supports for sensor immobilization in fiber-optical pH sensing devices in aqueous solution. Some results are presented that show the feasibility of using fiber-optical pH indicators for remote monitoring.

Statistics of the depth-scan photocurrent in time-domain optical coherence tomography

We derive the time-variant second-order statistics of the depth-scan photocurrent in time-domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) systems using polarized thermal light sources and superluminescent diodes (SLDs). Since the asymptotic-joint-probability-distribution function (JPDF) of the photocurrent due to polarized thermal light is Gaussian and the signal-noise-ratio in TD-OCT is typically high (>80 dB), the JPDF of the depth-scan photocurrent could be approximated as a Gaussian random process that is completely determined by its second-order statistics. We analyze both direct and differential light detection schemes and include the effect of electronic thermal fluctuations. Our results are a necessary prerequisite for future development of statistical image processing techniques for TD-OCT.

Optical temperature measurement configuration for fluorescence-based oxygen sensors

An optical fiber sensor for the measurement of oxygen in gaseous environments, which is based on the quenching of the fluorescence of a ruthenium complex, is presented. The sensing chemistry is immobilized in a sol-gel based solid matrix that is coated on a tapered optical fiber probe. Oxygen measurement is performed both by phae and fluorescence intensity spectroscopy. Experimental results show that the fluorescence intensity and the lifetime depend both on oxygen and temperature. A scheme for simultaneous determination of the temperature and the oxygen concentration is proposed. Temperature measurement is performed using the excitation radiation and an absorption long pass filter. Preliminary results are presented which show a temperature measurement independent of oxygen and of optical power level.

Single Particle Differentiation through 2D Optical Fiber Trapping and Back-Scattered Signal Statistical Analysis: An Exploratory Approach

Recent trends on microbiology point out the urge to develop optical micro-tools with multifunctionalities such as simultaneous manipulation and sensing. Considering that miniaturization has been recognized as one of the most important paradigms of emerging sensing biotechnologies, optical fiber tools, including Optical Fiber Tweezers (OFTs), are suitable candidates for developing multifunctional small sensors for Medicine and Biology. OFTs are flexible and versatile optotools based on fibers with one extremity patterned to form a micro-lens. These are able to focus laser beams and exert forces onto microparticles strong enough (piconewtons) to trap and manipulate them. In this paper, through an exploratory analysis of a 45 features set, including time and frequency-domain parameters of the back-scattered signal of particles trapped by a polymeric lens, we created a novel single feature able to differentiate synthetic particles (PMMA and Polystyrene) from living yeasts cells. This single statistical feature can be useful for the development of label-free hybrid optical fiber sensors with applications in infectious diseases detection or cells sorting. It can also contribute, by revealing the most significant information that can be extracted from the scattered signal, to the development of a simpler method for particles characterization (in terms of composition, heterogeneity degree) than existent technologies.

Effects of shielding on pelvic and abdominal IORT dose distributions

PURPOSE To study the impact of shielding elements in the proximity of Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT) irradiation fields, and to generate graphical and quantitative information to assist radiation oncologists in the design of optimal shielding during pelvic and abdominal IORT. METHOD An IORT system was modeled with BEAMnrc and EGS++ Monte Carlo codes. The model was validated in reference conditions by gamma index analysis against an experimental data set of different beam energies, applicator diameters, and bevel angles. The reliability of the IORT model was further tested considering shielding layers inserted in the radiation beam. Further simulations were performed introducing a bone-like layer embedded in the water phantom. The dose distributions were calculated as 3D dose maps. RESULTS The analysis of the resulting 2D dose maps parallel to the clinical axis shows that the bevel angle of the applicator and its position relative to the shielding have a major influence on the dose distribution. When insufficient shielding is used, a hotspot nearby the shield appears near the surface. At greater depths, lateral scatter limits the dose reduction attainable with shielding, although the presence of bone-like structures in the phantom reduces the impact of this effect. CONCLUSIONS Dose distributions in shielded IORT procedures are affected by distinct contributions when considering the regions near the shielding and deeper in tissue: insufficient shielding may lead to residual dose and hotspots, and the scattering effects may enlarge the beam in depth. These effects must be carefully considered when planning an IORT treatment with shielding.