Backman Lab, Vadim Backman
photonics
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Miniature fiber-optic probes for detection of mucosa micro-circulation
Our lab has developed an array of novel optical techniques for tissue characterization and diagnosis including low-coherence enhanced backscattering (LEBS) spectroscopy, polarization-gating enabled detection of mucosal microcirculation, and elastic light scattering fingerprinting. These techniques are able to identify changes in tissue associated with the earliest stages of carcinogenesis, prior the time point when existing markers of the disease can be identified. Implementation of these and other related techniques in vivo requires miniature fiber-optics probes. We design and develop these novel miniature fiber-optics probes for highly sensitive, depth-resolved, non-invasive interrogation of living tissue. Most of these probes can be inserted into the biopsy channel of standard endoscopic devices including upper-GI endoscopes, colonoscopes and laparoscopes. We are interested in all steps of device development starting from design and culminating in multi-site clinical trials. We have accumulated over 1,000 patient data across various clinical applications.