Raman spectroscopy is an important emerging tool for biomedical research, with a growing number of medical applications. Raman probes allow chemical analysis to be carried out in-situ, and often in places no other analytical technique can reach. The design of a Raman probe is a large factor in its performance, the subsequent success of the application. In this work, a number of Raman probe designs are evaluated and the underlying factors for their performance investigated. It is found that the internal Raman scattering inside a probe is an important factor in its performance, an area previously seen as of marginal benefit. A probe is presented that uses this design paradigm to gain some useful performance characteristics: reduced interference from background, and improved medical compatibility. A new application for a Raman needle probe is also explored: monitoring of subcutaneously injected drugs. The needle probe is found to show promise for this technique, but performance improvements must be made before it can be applied without caveats. Finally, the safety of infra-red laser light was also evaluated directly by assessing the viability of cells after exposure. The results suggest that the current safety guidelines are excessively conservative and further investigation into this is recommended.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:683457 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Stevens, Oliver |
| Publisher | University of Bristol |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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