Fibre Optic Sensors for Point of Care health Diagnostics

Lead Research Organisation: The Open University
Department Name: Faculty of Sci, Tech, Eng & Maths (STEM)

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
 
Description We have published some work on colo rectal cancer markers relevant to the development of the fibre optic sensors. We have been working on the materials used in the prototype device, and have been developing standard and calibration mixtures.

We have carried out some work on potential materials to be used in the production of the sampling device for the sensor and determined the level of VOC emissions and absorption that occurs. This has resulted in a different design being used, and these results are being written up for publication. Further work has also been done to test the use of these and alternatives which is being added to the manuscript.

We have also used the findings of this work in developing new methods for analysing VOCs in a variety of settings. Such sensors are very useful where biomarker discovery is not needed and where the biomarker of interest is known. One example of this is in dentistry treatment, where we have discovered that some highly toxic VOCs are produced. The approach of using specific fibre optic sensors is a low cost way of monitoring the production of these toxic VOCs and we are actively pursuing the development of this.

We have continued to test VOCs from clinical samples to test appropriate VOCs to target in an optic fibre sensor.
We are considering how this may be extended to new applications (for example wound healing). We are also now extending this work to detecting VOCs that may emanate from various dental treatments, and how this may produce toxic intermediates. the findings from this EPSRC funded grant are directly relevant to that work, and publications are prepared from that work.
The work on the dental procedures has now been completed and two publications produced. The work and methods developed during the EPSRC award were important in the success of the dental work, and a further grant proposal is being developed to enable the work to be taken forward, and investigate the risk to patient, dental professional and environment in conducting the endodontic procedures.
Exploitation Route We are continuing to develop methodology to test issues with breath and urine testing device.

We are looking at additional applications (skin, wound healing etc., dental surgery in the analysis of toxic compounds emanating from standard treatments; colo-rectal cancer diagnosis). This could also be used to monitor the safety of enclosed environments.

Dentistry applications - monitoring the production of toxic compounds that may contaminate the air in the dental surgery, which can problems for dental workers & patients.

I and other colleagues have submitted a new EPSRC application to apply the findings from this award to the development of a sensor for the real time analysis of propofol in a patient under anaesthesia.

A project is also planned to investigate the monitoring of wound repair using volatile compounds on dressings.
Sectors Chemicals,Environment,Healthcare
 
Description Non-invasive triage of symptomatic fast-track colorectal patients using volatile compounds: a feasibility study
Amount £245,436 (GBP)
Funding ID PB-PG-0416-20022 
Organisation National Institute for Health Research 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2018 
End 12/2019
 
Description Volatile organic compound sensing in healthcare using optical interrogation of metal-organic frameworks
Amount £167,190 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/V055216/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2021 
End 08/2024
 
Title A method for testing the accuracy of fibre-opic sensors, and for their calibration 
Description A method has been developed to test how effective, accurate and rapid the fibre sensors are, and to calibrate their output. This method involves making up low cost standardised volatile compound headspaces and artificial breath using physical chemistry principles and a range of published Henry's law co-efficients and temperature (enthalpy) corrections. these can then be produced rapidly and effectively, and tested alongside selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry. these standardised headspaces can then be used in the appropriate materials to test the reaction speed, sensitivity and selectivity of the fibres, and whether they can be re-sued, or how long the baseline takes to return. This work is being written up for publication. 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2017 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This work will be submitted for publication, however the method is being used in our other work to provide other standardised headspaces to test other analytical equipment. 
 
Title Materials use 
Description This study has provided crucial data which will inform the development of new tools and processes. These data show which materials will interfere with the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through either absorbing them, or emitting competing and confounding VOCs. We have systematically studied a variety of materials that can be used in sample handling and fibre optic holders to see which can or can't be used, and the significance of their effects on individual VOCs. A manuscript has been prepared which will be submitted for publication shortly outlining these findings. 
Type Of Material Biological samples 
Year Produced 2017 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact A publication will result from this, which will disseminate these findings. Meantime, these findings are being used in the development of sampling and sample handling protocols for clinical samples.