Terahertz-frequency imaging system for skin diagnostics
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study of novel terahertz-frequency imaging system for skin diagnostics
IRAS ID
211222
Contact name
Paul Dean
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
The terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum (100 GHz – 10 THz) has attracted significant interest over the past decade for the development of new imaging and sensing technologies. Amongst the advances in this emerging field has been the realisation of the potential benefits of THz radiation for biomedical imaging, such as discriminating common basal cell carcinoma, breast tumours, and metastasis liver from surrounding healthy tissue, as well as for in vivo imaging and assessment of skin burns.
Developments in THz lasers and novel imaging approaches, pioneered at the University of Leeds, have recently opened-up a host of new opportunities in THz imaging and have paved the way for the design of the next generation of THz imaging systems. Our technology offers a compact, non-invasive imaging platform for probing chemical and structural information across a range of applications. In particular, our technology could offer the unique potential for early in vivo detection of cancerous legions, thereby preventing invasive surgery and unnecessary ex vivo biopsies of benign lesions, whilst also revealing the full spatial extent of diagnosed malign lesions.
Whilst our preliminary work has convincingly demonstrated the potential of our novel THz sensing approach for molecular characterisation of biomedical samples, several key steps are now required to facilitate its potential translation to a range of applications of clinical relevance.
This study aims to assess the feasibility and viability of applying our laser imaging technology to biomedical imaging of skin melanomas, and for discrimination between melanoma and benign nevi. Our feasibility study will focus on analysis of freshly excised secondary (recurrent) skin melanoma, obtained from an existing cohort of patients who routinely undergo excision for symptomatic relief.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0221
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion