MEDI-LASE · Multifunctional MEdical DIagnostic LASEr System

Periodic Report Summary - MEDI-LASE (Multifunctional MEdical DIagnostic LASEr System)

Project context Trends in both modern medical diagnostics and treatment are towards those which minimise invasiveness, pharmaceutical (chemical) and other ecologically and physiologically undesirable effects on the human organism. Growth of the human population, combined with its rapid ageing in developed nations, is leading to an enormous increased demand on medical resources. Medical technologies that produce a maximum effect with the minimum expenditure of time are therefore urgently required. These requirements are met by the latest optical (laser) clinical non-invasive diagnostic methods that recently began to appear in many leading countries all over the world. MEDI-LASE is a Marie Curie Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways project funded by the FP7 People programme, with a consortium comprising the University of Dundee (Scotland), Askion GmbH (Germany), and Scientific-Production Enterprise “Lazma” Ltd (Russia). The project focuses on the exchange of expertise in different aspects of photonics-based diagnosis between the Laser Physics Research Centre in Dundee and the two SME companies, one of which is a manufacturer and developer of state-of-the-art medical diagnosis equipment while the other is a developer of integrated diagnostic laser systems. Project objectives The aim of the project is to overcome scientific and technical challenges to the realisation and adoption of a unique multifunctional medical diagnostic laser system. Specifically, new and novel laser sources will be developed along with validation of the spectroscopy and complex algorithms required to provide relevant and reliable diagnosis of specific biological conditions. The work will comprise experimental research in the optical analysis of blood and tissue to direct the exploitation of the developed system. The planned collaborative research programme has been devised to take advantage of the resources and expertise of the three partner organisations. The University of Dundee is leading the work to address the photonics and medical aspects of the research, using the photonics laboratories to develop and test new laser sources and architectures to deliver the wavelength and power requirements of the system while the bio-photonics labs are investigating the response of a range of blood and tissue samples to the medical laser diagnostic system (MLDS). Askion GmbH is leading the development of the integrated system architecture and the design of the device for various diagnostic procedures, including access protocols for the required procedures. The company has also carried out an extensive market and product assessment to identify the most appropriate routes to market for the developed technology. Scientific-Production Enterprise “Lazma” Ltd is leading the development of the software and algorithms for the diagnostic routines performing detailed statistical analysis to support the reliability of diagnostic results and their interpretation. They have also developed the user interface and data-storage and handling systems required to support effective multifunctional diagnosis. Project work The next stage of the project will entail further collection of diagnostic information from volunteers and interpretation of this complex data. An effective and powerful database will be developed to store all the acquired data. The system will be further developed to become as user-friendly as possible, including further software updates and new optical fibre probes. The MEDI-LASE project has already made good progress in its research activities with four papers/presentations being published/presented to date and a further two have been submitted for review. To encourage and strengthen transfer of knowledge, two project workshops and one summer school have been scheduled to take place during the project. The first project workshop was hosted by Askion GmbH in February/March 2012. The project workshops consist of talks and presentations given by both project fellows and renowned scientists in the field and are attended by all MEDI-LASE fellows. The summer school will also be open to external participants. Please see the project website at http://www.medilase.eu for more information.

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