There is no question about it; biophotonics, laser applications and micro-optics are becoming increasingly more popular in the field of medicine because these methods are low in risk and patient-friendly. In his keynote speech at the COMPAMED Spring Convention, “Beyond White Light – new imaging modalities for optimising diagnosis and therapy in the field of minimally invasive surgery”, Thorsten Jürgens, the coordinator of technology development at Olympus Surgical Technologies Europe, reported on new imaging procedures that considerably improve possibilities within the scope of microsurgery. “With Narrow Band Imaging (NBI), it is, for example, possible to identify fine structures and capillary patterns on the surface of mucous membranes. Human tissue absorbs light used here at shorter wavelengths very good. NBI successfully makes use of this characteristic, thus providing additional information that cannot retrieved by means of normal endoscopic images. A filter creates two 60-nanometre-wide spectrums within the wavelength range of 415 (blue light) and 540 nanometres (green light). The absorbing characteristics of haemoglobin improve the contrast of blood vessels. Due to the various penetration depths of the blue and green light, the anatomical layer where a blood vessel is running can be identified.

Photodynamic Diagnosis (PDD) is also very promising. This method provides in-vivo data that can identify special tumours and is already being used in the field of dermatology and urology. Initially, a photosensitiser is applied that is accumulated in or on the tumour cells. By exposing to light, the dyes fluoresce and the light which is emitted is then detected. Broadband Xenon light sources are used and a filter zeros in on the required wavelengths from their spectrum. In recent years, new and specific dyes have been developed. “NBI and PDD are already being regularly used in the field of clinical care.” In the future, alternative dyes and colouring agents will make the precise demarcation of risk structures and disease possible,” Thorsten Jürgens explained.


Functionalised nanorods for the early detection of cancer

The Austrian Institute of Technology in Vienna (AIT), the largest non-university research institute in Austria, has developed several photonic platforms. In this connection, the AIT is participating in the project, NAMDIATREAM (Nanotechnological Toolkits for Multi-Modal Disease Diagnostics and Treatment Monitoring) that is being financed by the EU and should contribute to the early detection of cancer based on nanotechnology. Possessing a patent for innovative immunodiagnostics, the AIT created functionalised core-shell nanorods that are very simple to use. “Readings can already be taken from a patients’ saliva in an ambulance, the best medium for point-of-care applications,” explained Dr. Giorgio C. Mutinati from AIT. The procedure is based on optical changes in the rotational dynamics of magnetic rods that have a magnetic core and a stainless-steel shell. Special molecules from the sample bind to the nanoparticles and by means of this process, alter their physical characteristics and this can be measured. The method has many advantages: Only small quantities of samples are required that are in no need of preparation. The management of “mixing and measuring” is simple and the time required for analysis is short.

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