Biomedical Optics

This research interest is largely in the interaction of visible and infrared light with human tissues. Historically this has manifested in the development of instruments to measure blood flow (laser Doppler- leading to the establishment of Oxford Optronix Ltd.) and oxygenation (spectroscopy), which have found many applications due to the role of the microcirculation in all organs. More recently this research group has been collaborating with the University of Linköping in the development of a suite of instruments related to tissue viability and skin aging. The first of these, the 'TiVi imager' has become commercially available via Wheelsbridge AB. It uses the technique of polarization spectroscopy and a patented image analysis technique to provide an index of red blood cell concentration in the tissue. Four PhD students are working on these themes, which are closely linked to clinical need. Contact: Dr. Martin Leahy