EPSRC IRC Proteus - Multiplexed 'Touch and Tell' Optical Molecular Sensing and Imaging - Lifetime and Beyond
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry
Abstract
The EPSRC IRC Proteus is made up of a group of world-leading scientists, engineers and clinicians. Interdisciplinarity is at our heart - we work across traditional boundaries linking together disciplines such as optical physics, chemical biology, biology and engineering to name but a few. The ambition and desire is to translate technologies to help patients - empowering clinicians to "see disease" in front of their eyes at the bedside and help them to make the right decisions and give the right treatments at the right time.
This highly interdisciplinary collaboration driven by clinical need and pull, has led to the design, fabrication and testing in patients of a number of world-leading bedside-based technology platforms. Our technology platform combines advanced fibre optic technology (that can be readily be passed into the lung of patients) and highly sensitive detectors in association with highly sensitive fluorescent chemical reagents to diagnose disease. This allows clinicians to "view" inside the lung to detect bacteria or aberrant disease signatures of disease.
Clinical pull: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients suffer high death and disability rates and are responsible for a disproportionate financial burden on the health service (the equivalent of 1% of USA GDP is spent on patients in intensive care). Potentially fatal lung complications are a common problem in ventilated ICU patients and doctors caring for these patients in the ICU face many challenges, often needing to make snap decisions without the information necessary to properly inform those decisions. The new technology platforms being developed by Proteus are helping doctors in the intensive care unit to make rapid and accurate diagnoses of patients, allowing them to direct and inform therapy and ensure patients get the right treatment, at the right time and quickly. Although our technology platforms have a focus at this time on being used in the intensive care unit, it is widely applicable to a wide range of lung conditions and other healthcare situations, such as bowel or pancreatic cancer.
The next steps for the IRC are to take our technology into a new area in which different flavours of light can be used to diagnose disease - using the teams' highly advanced light sensors (that are able to count a single photon). In addition the proposal moves the IRC towards sustainability, creating a legacy from the EPSRC investment - accelerating the pathways to take new technology into patients, while developing commercial opportunities.
In summary the EPSRC IRC Proteus has generated a new cohort of young interdisciplinary scientists trained in physical and biological sciences and engineering that have a full appreciation and practical experience of clinical translational and commercialisation pathways. They will be able to meet the challenges of converting advances in science and engineering into healthcare benefits with the development of a number of cutting-edge bedside technology platforms which will help doctors make rapid and accurate diagnoses. The team, in association with the partner Universities, have also begun to make major strides towards full sustainability of the IRC - making major impacts in the areas of clinical and commercial translation, with significant academic outputs and public engagement activities.
This highly interdisciplinary collaboration driven by clinical need and pull, has led to the design, fabrication and testing in patients of a number of world-leading bedside-based technology platforms. Our technology platform combines advanced fibre optic technology (that can be readily be passed into the lung of patients) and highly sensitive detectors in association with highly sensitive fluorescent chemical reagents to diagnose disease. This allows clinicians to "view" inside the lung to detect bacteria or aberrant disease signatures of disease.
Clinical pull: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients suffer high death and disability rates and are responsible for a disproportionate financial burden on the health service (the equivalent of 1% of USA GDP is spent on patients in intensive care). Potentially fatal lung complications are a common problem in ventilated ICU patients and doctors caring for these patients in the ICU face many challenges, often needing to make snap decisions without the information necessary to properly inform those decisions. The new technology platforms being developed by Proteus are helping doctors in the intensive care unit to make rapid and accurate diagnoses of patients, allowing them to direct and inform therapy and ensure patients get the right treatment, at the right time and quickly. Although our technology platforms have a focus at this time on being used in the intensive care unit, it is widely applicable to a wide range of lung conditions and other healthcare situations, such as bowel or pancreatic cancer.
The next steps for the IRC are to take our technology into a new area in which different flavours of light can be used to diagnose disease - using the teams' highly advanced light sensors (that are able to count a single photon). In addition the proposal moves the IRC towards sustainability, creating a legacy from the EPSRC investment - accelerating the pathways to take new technology into patients, while developing commercial opportunities.
In summary the EPSRC IRC Proteus has generated a new cohort of young interdisciplinary scientists trained in physical and biological sciences and engineering that have a full appreciation and practical experience of clinical translational and commercialisation pathways. They will be able to meet the challenges of converting advances in science and engineering into healthcare benefits with the development of a number of cutting-edge bedside technology platforms which will help doctors make rapid and accurate diagnoses. The team, in association with the partner Universities, have also begun to make major strides towards full sustainability of the IRC - making major impacts in the areas of clinical and commercial translation, with significant academic outputs and public engagement activities.
Planned Impact
Our proposed research programme will generate numerous avenues for the realisation of impact:
Research Areas - The research proposed pushes the technologies that we have developed as part of the original IRC into advanced technology readiness. We have for example developed and fabricated three world-leading detectors. They offer enormous power and potential, but took some 3 years to design/test/evaluate with advanced software having to be written to control and utilize their outputs. They are now ready to be exploited to the full.
Clinical Translation: We have developed a regulatory pathway that has allowed us to carry out first in-human studies (both device and probes). Proteus has, to date, delivered into the clinic a device (VersiColour) and three imaging reagents (Bac-One, Bac-Two and Fib-One) - and the team will deliver into the clinic and into patients at least 2 devices, 3 fibres and 2 chemical probes as part of this "next steps funding". As such the stage is now set with multiple new opportunities that can be grasped and exploited and opened up to other groups.
Communication and Outreach - Through public lectures, open meetings and publication in the scientific and lay press we have engaged in public, scientific and commercial disseminations - e.g. The British Science Festival, Family Weekend Event (Swansea) -September 2016 with a Permanent Proteus Exhibit at Glasgow Science Centre now being constructed. Our interdisciplinary programme will continue to provide multiple opportunities for involvement in public engagement and dissemination in which team members will play a variety of active roles.
Patients: Proteus is providing unique opportunities for clinicians to rapidly monitor events deep in the lungs of critically ill patients in 'real time' at the bedside. This will permit rapid point-of-care diagnosis and informed decision-making in intensive care units and patient stratification. We are actively involving patients in our programme to increase impact and involve patients in our research ideas and plans.
NHS: The economic burden of ICU patients is huge. Rapid and incisive bedside diagnosis, particularly of specific infections would lead to stratification of patient care and tailored prescribing patterns, including the use/non-use of expensive and potentially toxic anti-bacterials. Ultimately this would translate into reduced antibiotic use, reduced ventilator dependency and reduced mortality and morbidity with a proportionate economic benefit.
Interdisciplinarity: A central part of our agenda has been to break down traditional 'barriers' between physical and biomedical sciences. The team have benefitted immensely from the interdisciplinary translational thrust of the programme and the cross-fertilisation derived from the 'Hub'. Moreover, the PhD students provided by the Universities have been specifically engaged in cross-disciplinary projects - thus allowing us to train a cadre of scientists who are multi-skilled and equipped to meet the challenges of applying new technologies to healthcare provision in the new era.
Commercial Translation: The UK must reap the dividend of the current "revolution" in physical sciences. Proteus has generated multiple packages of IP whose commercial opportunities are being explored in areas associated with fibre technology, novel chemical probes, image processing and life-time imaging. Proteus is delivering leading-edge interdisciplinary and translational research in exciting and highly translatable areas of photonics, optics, imaging, data analysis and chemistry - driven by a clear "healthcare pull". The enabling activities through our IRC has created a new generation of scientists, engineers and technologists with a translational agenda and mind-set for the benefit of the UK economy. Building on this, Proteus is also leading the establishment of a UK Healthcare Technology Accelerator Facility.
Research Areas - The research proposed pushes the technologies that we have developed as part of the original IRC into advanced technology readiness. We have for example developed and fabricated three world-leading detectors. They offer enormous power and potential, but took some 3 years to design/test/evaluate with advanced software having to be written to control and utilize their outputs. They are now ready to be exploited to the full.
Clinical Translation: We have developed a regulatory pathway that has allowed us to carry out first in-human studies (both device and probes). Proteus has, to date, delivered into the clinic a device (VersiColour) and three imaging reagents (Bac-One, Bac-Two and Fib-One) - and the team will deliver into the clinic and into patients at least 2 devices, 3 fibres and 2 chemical probes as part of this "next steps funding". As such the stage is now set with multiple new opportunities that can be grasped and exploited and opened up to other groups.
Communication and Outreach - Through public lectures, open meetings and publication in the scientific and lay press we have engaged in public, scientific and commercial disseminations - e.g. The British Science Festival, Family Weekend Event (Swansea) -September 2016 with a Permanent Proteus Exhibit at Glasgow Science Centre now being constructed. Our interdisciplinary programme will continue to provide multiple opportunities for involvement in public engagement and dissemination in which team members will play a variety of active roles.
Patients: Proteus is providing unique opportunities for clinicians to rapidly monitor events deep in the lungs of critically ill patients in 'real time' at the bedside. This will permit rapid point-of-care diagnosis and informed decision-making in intensive care units and patient stratification. We are actively involving patients in our programme to increase impact and involve patients in our research ideas and plans.
NHS: The economic burden of ICU patients is huge. Rapid and incisive bedside diagnosis, particularly of specific infections would lead to stratification of patient care and tailored prescribing patterns, including the use/non-use of expensive and potentially toxic anti-bacterials. Ultimately this would translate into reduced antibiotic use, reduced ventilator dependency and reduced mortality and morbidity with a proportionate economic benefit.
Interdisciplinarity: A central part of our agenda has been to break down traditional 'barriers' between physical and biomedical sciences. The team have benefitted immensely from the interdisciplinary translational thrust of the programme and the cross-fertilisation derived from the 'Hub'. Moreover, the PhD students provided by the Universities have been specifically engaged in cross-disciplinary projects - thus allowing us to train a cadre of scientists who are multi-skilled and equipped to meet the challenges of applying new technologies to healthcare provision in the new era.
Commercial Translation: The UK must reap the dividend of the current "revolution" in physical sciences. Proteus has generated multiple packages of IP whose commercial opportunities are being explored in areas associated with fibre technology, novel chemical probes, image processing and life-time imaging. Proteus is delivering leading-edge interdisciplinary and translational research in exciting and highly translatable areas of photonics, optics, imaging, data analysis and chemistry - driven by a clear "healthcare pull". The enabling activities through our IRC has created a new generation of scientists, engineers and technologists with a translational agenda and mind-set for the benefit of the UK economy. Building on this, Proteus is also leading the establishment of a UK Healthcare Technology Accelerator Facility.
Organisations
- University of Edinburgh (Lead Research Organisation)
- DURHAM UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- University of Bath (Collaboration)
- University College Cork (Collaboration)
- Heriot-Watt University (Collaboration)
- Sankara Nethralaya (Collaboration)
- Renishaw (United Kingdom) (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE (Collaboration)
- KING'S COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
Publications
Yerolatsitis S
(2019)
Developing Novel Fibres for Endoscopic Imaging and Sensing
Gong J
(2019)
Polymer Microarrays for the Discovery and Optimization of Robust Optical-Fiber-Based pH Sensors.
in ACS combinatorial science
Parker HE
(2019)
Fibre-based spectral ratio endomicroscopy for contrast enhancement of bacterial imaging and pulmonary autofluorescence.
in Biomedical optics express
Seth S
(2019)
Model Criticism in Latent Space
in Bayesian Analysis
Parker H
(2019)
Characterising cross-coupling in coherent fibre bundles
Akram AR
(2019)
Enhanced avidity from a multivalent fluorescent antimicrobial peptide enables pathogen detection in a human lung model.
in Scientific reports
Birch GP
(2019)
Optical Molecular Imaging of Inflammatory Cells in Interventional Medicine-An Emerging Strategy.
in Frontiers in oncology
Erdogan A
(2019)
A CMOS SPAD Line Sensor With Per-Pixel Histogramming TDC for Time-Resolved Multispectral Imaging
in IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits
Vorotnikova NA
(2019)
Octahedral molybdenum cluster as a photoactive antimicrobial additive to a fluoroplastic.
in Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications
Choudhary TR
(2019)
High fidelity fibre-based physiological sensing deep in tissue.
in Scientific reports
Eldaly AK
(2019)
Bayesian bacterial detection using irregularly sampled optical endomicroscopy images.
in Medical image analysis
Baibek A
(2020)
Wash-free , peptide-based fluorogenic probes for microbial imaging
in Peptide Science
Wang Q
(2020)
Deep Learning in ex-vivo Lung Cancer Discrimination using Fluorescence Lifetime Endomicroscopic Images.
in Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference
Kalligeraki AA
(2020)
Three-dimensional data capture and analysis of intact eye lenses evidences emmetropia-associated changes in epithelial cell organization.
in Scientific reports
Parker HE
(2020)
Core crosstalk in ordered imaging fiber bundles.
in Optics letters
Perperidis A
(2020)
Image computing for fibre-bundle endomicroscopy: A review
in Medical Image Analysis
Kamaljith V
(2020)
Ultrafast-laser-ablation-assisted spatially selective attachment of fluorescent sensors onto optical fibers.
in Optics letters
Ucuncu M
(2020)
Polymyxin-based photosensitizer for the potent and selective killing of Gram-negative bacteria.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Ehrlich K
(2020)
Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of Fluorescence Quenching in Optical Fibre-Based pH Sensors.
in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Title | Visualisation 2.avi |
Description | FLIM video of 3D printed targets |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2023 |
URL | https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/Visualisation_2_avi/22561045 |
Title | Visualisation 2.avi |
Description | FLIM video of 3D printed targets |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2023 |
URL | https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/Visualisation_2_avi/22561045/1 |
Title | Visualisation1.avi |
Description | FLIM video of leaves. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2023 |
URL | https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/Visualisation1_avi/22561048/1 |
Title | Visualisation1.avi |
Description | FLIM video of leaves. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2023 |
URL | https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/Visualisation1_avi/22561048 |
Title | Visualization1.mp4 |
Description | A video of automated emission of light from 91 points in a multicore fibre. The pitch of the emission points is 1 cm. The automated coupling is achieved using a laser coupled 2D Galvo-mirror system. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2021 |
URL | https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/Visualization1_mp4/14192882/1 |
Title | Visualization1.mp4 |
Description | A video of automated emission of light from 91 points in a multicore fibre. The pitch of the emission points is 1 cm. The automated coupling is achieved using a laser coupled 2D Galvo-mirror system. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2021 |
URL | https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/Visualization1_mp4/14192882 |
Title | Visualization2.mp4 |
Description | Different side image intensity distributions in one coupling condition for an emission point. Light is coupled to one emission point and images of the ping-pong ball is taken at different angles with respect to the emission point. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2021 |
URL | https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/Visualization2_mp4/14192903/1 |
Title | Visualization2.mp4 |
Description | Different side image intensity distributions in one coupling condition for an emission point. Light is coupled to one emission point and images of the ping-pong ball is taken at different angles with respect to the emission point. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2021 |
URL | https://opticapublishing.figshare.com/articles/media/Visualization2_mp4/14192903 |
Description | We have: (i). Designed new detectors (imagine super versions of the detectors/cameras that are found in your phone) that allow a type of 3D imaging - with the ability to do this in vivo. We have published the use of these cameras in a high-profile journal. (ii). We used these new cameras to image cancer in totally new ways - can we detect the edges of a tumour - this could allow surgeons to remove the cancerous tissue without needing a label. . (ii). Designed and built a whole new series of new chemical probes that are able to detect disease (bacteria/cancer etc..). They have been used to detect bacteria in urine or in eyes and these are under active exploration at this time. We have developed new molecules that kill bacterial when we shine light on them. We have developed molecules that light up various proteases of biomedical relevance in a number of settings. (iii). We designed new optical fibres that could be used in humans to detect/monitor disease. (iv). Engaged with patients to allow them to help direct our research - many patient engagement activities to the end of the project. (v). Continuing the commercialisation of the research in the area of the detectors - working with a major USA player in this space. (vi). Worked with collaborators in Tydell to package the small life-time detectors (1.5 mm x 1.5 mm) for direct in vivo applications in the lung. |
Exploitation Route | The technology could be taken forwards by medical companies, academics (optical physicists, engineers) and used by clinicians. We are pursuing the detectors commercially (with broad application within life sciences and beyond). This is possible within the area of fluorescence, fluorescent life-time and Raman. |
Sectors | Chemicals Education Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | http://www.proteus.ac.uk |
Description | Public engagement activities leading to a new undergraduate course. Spinout/commercial activities. Compounds being used in clinical studies in eye infection in India |
First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
Sector | Education,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | Accurate, Rapid, Robust and Economical diagnostic technoliogieS for Tuberculosis |
Amount | € 4,400,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 825931 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 12/2022 |
Description | Bicentenial Research Leader Fellowship, Heriot-Watt University - MARTA Vallejo |
Amount | £125,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
Description | Bicentenial Research Leader Fellowship, Heriot-Watt University - MIKE TANNER |
Amount | £125,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2019 |
Description | IRC Next Steps Plus: Photonic Pathogen Theranostics - Point-of-care image guided photonic therapy of bacterial and fungal infection |
Amount | £1,100,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R018669/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 03/2022 |
Description | Lighting the Way to a Healthy Nation - Optical 'X-rays' for Walk Through Diagnosis & Therapy |
Amount | £5,577,754 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T020997/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2020 |
End | 05/2023 |
Description | Next-Generation Sensing For Human In Vivo Pharmacology- Accelerating Drug Development In Inflammatory Diseases |
Amount | £1,463,801 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/S025987/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 04/2023 |
Description | Single Photons - Expanding the Spectrum (SPEXS) |
Amount | £5,265,567 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/S026428/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 09/2025 |
Description | Through-body TCSPC based real-time tracking to guide interventional medical procedures |
Amount | £315,108 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/S000763/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 03/2022 |
Title | Fluorescent life-time video rate CMOS SPAD detectors |
Description | Fluorescent life-time video rate CMOS SPAD detectors have been developed across the team. They are being evaluated by other groups and organisations in a number of scenarios. There is no a spinout that is pursuing these detectors and the new capabilities developed during the next steps project. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Possible use in analysis of histology samples, real-time detection of cancer margins etc.. rapid life-time microscopy. |
Description | Collaboration with Dundee Univ |
Organisation | University of Dundee |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration, mentorship and supervision |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration, mentorship and supervision |
Impact | Activities on going |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Collaboration with Tyndall Institute |
Organisation | University College Cork |
Department | Tyndall National Institute |
Country | Ireland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provision of endocam camera |
Collaborator Contribution | packaging and evaluation and development |
Impact | To early |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Collaboration with industrial partners |
Organisation | Renishaw PLC |
Department | Renishaw Diagnostics Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Detectors or Raman |
Collaborator Contribution | Use of the detectors |
Impact | Confidential Multi-disiplionary |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Collaborations with multiple universities |
Organisation | King's College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Detectors and software |
Collaborator Contribution | Use in histology analysis |
Impact | use of our detectors to support new applications and uses |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya - India |
Organisation | Sankara Nethralaya |
Country | India |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | Provision of novel bacterial imaging molecules |
Collaborator Contribution | Validation ion clinical samples |
Impact | Sens. Diagn. 2022, DOI10.1039/D2SD00061J |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Ra-II Detectors being used in other areas |
Organisation | University of Southampton |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | provision of Ra-II Detectors |
Collaborator Contribution | Dual modalities in imaging |
Impact | Too early |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | This is an IRC - it is by definition a collaboration |
Organisation | Durham University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The IRC team comprises the Universities of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt and Bath. |
Collaborator Contribution | Massive collaborations (please see the web site www.proteus.ac.uk) |
Impact | Please see list of publications/patents/engagement activities on the Proteus web site. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | This is an IRC - it is by definition a collaboration |
Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The IRC team comprises the Universities of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt and Bath. |
Collaborator Contribution | Massive collaborations (please see the web site www.proteus.ac.uk) |
Impact | Please see list of publications/patents/engagement activities on the Proteus web site. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | This is an IRC - it is by definition a collaboration |
Organisation | University of Bath |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The IRC team comprises the Universities of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt and Bath. |
Collaborator Contribution | Massive collaborations (please see the web site www.proteus.ac.uk) |
Impact | Please see list of publications/patents/engagement activities on the Proteus web site. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | This is an IRC - it is by definition a collaboration |
Organisation | University of Dundee |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The IRC team comprises the Universities of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt and Bath. |
Collaborator Contribution | Massive collaborations (please see the web site www.proteus.ac.uk) |
Impact | Please see list of publications/patents/engagement activities on the Proteus web site. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Title | A SENSING STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING A SENSING STRUCTURE |
Description | A method for forming a sensing structure on a distal end of a multicore optical fibre, the method comprises contacting at least part of the distal end of the multicore optical fibre with a polymerisation material, coupling light from a light source to a proximal end of a selected one of the cores of the multicore optical fibre, and photo-polymerising, using the light from the light source transmitted through the selected core, a region of the polymerisation material adjacent to a distal face of the selected core to form said sensing structure such that the sensing structure substantially does not overlap any of the other cores of the multicore optical fibre. |
IP Reference | WO2017203272 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | Confidential |
Title | ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD |
Description | An endoscopic imaging apparatus comprises at least one light source (1, 2, 3) configured to provide excitation signals to an imaging region via a common transmission path. Each excitation signal has one of a plurality of different colours. A controller (100) is configured to control the at least one light source (1, 2, 3) to provide the excitation signals as a repeating time-interleaved sequence that comprises at least an excitation signal of a first one of the colours and a subsequent excitation signal of a second one of the colours. A monochrome detector (80) is configured, for each of at least some of the excitation signals, to receive at least part of a respective response signal emitted from the imaging region in response to the excitation signal and to generate image data based on the at least part of the response signal. |
IP Reference | WO2017174998 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | Confidentail |
Title | FRAME SELECTION IN MEDICAL IMAGE DATA |
Description | A method comprises receiving a sequence of frames comprising optical endomicroscopy image data, determining for each frame in the sequence of frames a value of at least one image measure, for each frame in the sequence of frames, determining based on said value of the at least one image measure whether the frame meets a criterion, thereby to select a plurality of frames of the frame sequence, and providing an output representative of the selected plurality of frames for display. |
IP Reference | WO2017149310 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | Confidential |
Title | OPTICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD |
Description | A system comprises a waveguide apparatus comprising a plurality of input waveguides, a multimode waveguide, and a guided-wave transition coupling the plurality of input waveguides to the multimode waveguide. The system further comprises at least one light source configured to excite in turn each of a plurality of the input waveguides, or each of a plurality of combinations of the input waveguides, thereby generating a plurality of different light patterns in turn at an output of the waveguide apparatus. The waveguide apparatus is configured to direct each of the plurality of different light patterns to a target region. The system further comprises at least one detector configured to detect light transmitted, reflected or emitted from the target region in response to each of the different light patterns, and to output signals representing the detected light. |
IP Reference | WO2018203088 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | Confidential |
Title | Photon Sensor Apparatus |
Description | A sensor apparatus for photon sensing comprises a plurality of pixel devices, each pixel device comprising: a plurality of photon detectors arranged to produce photon detection signals in response to photon detection events; a processing resource configured to process photon detection signals to produce photon detection event signals, wherein each photon detection event signal comprises time data representative of a photon detection time at which a respective photon detection event occurred; a pixel memory; a further processing resource configured to process the photon detection event signals to obtain detection data representative of photon detection events over a detection period; a communication resource for transmitting the detection data from the pixel device, wherein the processing of the photon detection event signals is such that storing and/or transmission of the detection data uses less storage capacity and/or communication capacity than would be used by storage and/or transmission of the photon detection event signals directly. |
IP Reference | US2020116838 |
Protection | Patent / Patent application |
Year Protection Granted | 2020 |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | Spinout SENSE PHOTONICS INC pursuing multiple angles and commercialisation with additional patent filings. |
Title | SERS PROBE COMPRISING A DUAL-CORE OPTICAL FIBER AND A SPACER ONTO WHICH SERS-ACTIVE NANOPARTICLES ARE ATTACHED |
Description | A spectroscopy probe apparatus comprising an excitation path configured to transmit excitation light for exciting a response; a collection path different from the excitation path and configured to transmit signal light comprising a response signal, wherein at least one of the excitation path or collection path comprises or is formed in at least one optical fibre; and a light guide having a proximal end coupled to the excitation path and to the collection path, wherein the guide is configured to pass the excitation light from the excitation path to a target region to generate the response signal, and to pass the signal light comprising the response signal from the target region to the collection path. |
IP Reference | WO2017158331 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | Confidential |
Title | Diagnosis of eye infections |
Description | Chemical probes to detect bacterial infection in the eye via means of fluorescence. Paper published (Rapid detection of major Gram-positive pathogens in ocular specimens using a novel fluorescent vancomycin-based probe) on first studies now looking at 400 patients and analysis/validation. |
Type | Diagnostic Tool - Imaging |
Current Stage Of Development | Early clinical assessment |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2022 |
Development Status | Actively seeking support |
Impact | Chemical probes to detect bacterial infection in the eye via means of fluorescence. Paper published (Rapid detection of major Gram-positive pathogens in ocular specimens using a novel fluorescent vancomycin-based probe) on first studies now looking at 400 patients and analysis/validation. Will lead to more rapid decision making - for example allowing the clinician to use the correct/specific antibacterial agent. |
Title | iSPY study re Proteus technologies |
Description | Proteus technologies will be evaluated in initial first in human study (fibre/device/probes) |
Type | Diagnostic Tool - Imaging |
Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Non-clinical |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2020 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Impact | Initial study to evaluate fluoresce lifetime capability in humans |
Description | AAAS Meeting 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | AAAS Meeting 2019 - Invited to the meeting as a Flagship EPSRC project representing UK science on the main exhibition stage as well as the International Reception. Feb 2019 Audience: American Academics, Members of Congress, American Industries, RIUK team lead by Sir Mark Walport (CEO) World Media Teams, Global stakeholders (academics, policy makers) students and wider publics Engagement methods: Proteus Technology Versicolour Impact: Raised awareness of EPSRC Proteus with UKRI CEO and wider RIUK team. Networked with senior academics, policy makers and US industries. Created new collaborations with industrial partners |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.ukri.org/aaas/ |
Description | Academic paper published journal - Sensors. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | The Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious Circuits! project published in academic journal - Sensors. Audience: International academic community Engagement methods: PE/Engineering academic paper. Impact: Raising the profile of PE with research within the academic community. Demonstrating the quality of the work to be accepted in a peer reviewed academic journal. Creating a jubilant 'can do' attitude amongst researchers and community partners that motivates more high quality PE activity and future funding applications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/2/402 |
Description | EPSRC Our Health - A model of community-based engagement - Teaching and Learning Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | EPSRC Our Health - A model of community-based engagement - The University of Edinburgh, Teaching and Learning Conference. Our Health was asked to present as an example of best practice in engaged- community based research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.ed.ac.uk/clinical-sciences/our-health |
Description | EPSRC Our Health - Awarded the Principals Teaching Award |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | EPSRC Our Health - Awarded the Principals Teaching Award. Audience: Senior university colleagues. Engagement methods: Written proposal including case studies Impact: EPSRC Our Health was awarded funding to pay a salary to a new Our Health staff member (capacity building). The Our Health Research Assistant will carry out a full evaluation of the Our Health programme which will improve the quality of our community based research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | EPSRC Our Health - Develops new partnership with NHS Lothian as part of COVID response. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | EPSRC Our Health - Develops new partnership with NHS Lothian as part of COVID response. New community- engagement project developed and networks created. Secured NHS Lothian funding (£8K) as part of the partnership. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | EPSRC Our Health - Led COVID response with partners in India (NIRT) to collaborate with Indian TB clinicians |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | EPSRC Our Health - Led COVID response with partners in India (NIRT) to collaborate with Indian TB clinicians to investigate the impact of COVID on TB doctors and patients. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | EPSRC Transforming Healthcare Showcase - House of Lords (became virtual due to COVID) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | EPSRC Transforming Healthcare Showcase in the House of Lords hosted by Lord Darzi of Denham to highlight the technology being developed by the team with EPSRC support. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | European Science Shop Conference 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | European Science Shop Conference 2019 - Invited as a speaker to (Cyprus) to present EPSRC Our Health and share best practice around this new Interdisciplinary model of a science shop with the new science shops (10 sci shops funded by Horizon 2020) Audience: European Science Shops Engagement methods: Workshops, presentations and discussion groups. Impact: EPSRC Our Health is more firmly established within the European community and is part of a wider network that collaborates closely with 1 of the new science shops to create an exchange (student/staff) programmme. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.scishops.eu/ |
Description | Organised International SPAD Sensor Workshop (held virtually but organised from Edinburgh). 350 attendees (70% industry!). |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | ISSW 2020 The International SPAD Sensor Workshop. Focused on the study, modeling, design, fabrication, and characterization of SPAD sensors. Edinburgh, Scotland (UK) June 2020 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Radio chat with Maria Rodriguez-Rios |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk show in Spain |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.twitch.tv/cienciaetal |
Description | The Craigmilliar Community Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The Craigmilliar Community Festival. Local community, primary school children, families and young adults (20 - 30 years olds) Engagement methods: Hands on demonstrations, storytelling by primary school children around community based research. Impact: Formed new community partners (Castleview school teachers/and pupils) new community based research activities designed with new partners |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://www.crm.ed.ac.uk/community-science-engagement |
Description | The International Edinburgh Book Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The International Edinburgh Book Festival. Audience: Wider Public. Engagement methods: Hands on demonstrations storytelling and poetry Impact: Formed an Our Health/Citizen collaboration which will allow more community-based research activity supported by the International Edinburgh Book Festival in the future. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | UKRI Festival of Tomorrow |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | UKRI Festival of Tomorrow - to showcase EPSRC-UKRI research. Created a virtual booth for public audience to view aspects of IRC Proteus research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.scienceswindon.com/festival-of-tomorrow |
Description | Undergraduate course with patient groups developed based on our research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | sensing in the community interdisciplinary community-based research projects |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |