The Medical Photonics group at TNO has a strong knowledge position in the field of light propagation in tissue. Measurements are performed on living tissues using non-invasive or minimally-invasive photonic technologies. Knowledge of health and disease processes is at the basis of the development of these ‘photonics-based medical devices’. This biological and clinical knowledge is translated into optically measurable biomarkers, which are measured quantitatively and robustly through the development of innovative optical measurement techniques in combination with algorithms based on complex light-tissue interaction models. This expertise is an enabler for continuous wearable health sensing using non-invasive optical technologies.
TNO has recently designed a photonic health patch consisting of multiple LEDs and photodetectors placed on the surface of a patch of 5×10 mm. Integration of such a photonic health patch design in wearables opens up new opportunities for non-invasive and continuous sensing of tissue health status. TNO is now exploring novel methods for quantitative multispectral imaging for wide-field non-contact imaging of optical biomarkers.
Scientific interests
- Medical Imaging
- Spectroscopy
- Light-tissue interaction
Expertise:
- Development of mathematical models of light-tissue interactions based on MonteCarlo simulations. The Monte Carlo simulation toolbox of TNO allows simulation of light transport in tissues, with realistic tissue and illumination and detection geometries.
Models and equipment:
- Tissue modeling
- Retinal imaging systems
- Design and production of medical wearables
