The course is meant to provide a general introduction to the applications of photonics in the biomedical field.
Course Prerequisites
Students need to have a basic knowledge of Electromagnetic waves, Electronic circuits, Principles of physiology.
Teaching Methods
Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 37 Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 15 Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0 Classroom lectures are given with computer presentations.
Assessment Methods
The final exam consists in a closed-book written test to verify the results of the learning experience. The finale grade is over 30. The highest grade is 30/30 cum laude. The passing grade is 18/30.
Texts
Lecture slides are provided by Prof. Merlo to the students who are attending the class. The class has also a website on KIRO where the student will find copies of the slides used in class and additional supporting material, also for in more depth studies. Suggested: Tuan Vo-Dinh, editor. Biomedical Photonics. CRC Press, 2003 - M. H. Niemz. Laser-Tissue interactions. Springer, 1996
Contents
Topics include light, light-matter interaction, spectroscopy, microscopy, optical fibers, lasers, photodetectors, optical sensors, optical biosensors, fiber-optic sensors, light/tissue interactions. Applications to diagnostics and therapy are illustrated. Principles of operation of Fluorocytometers, Laser Doppler flowmeter, Pulsed Oximeters, Optical coherence tomography are discussed. Seminars will cover research activities in the field carried on in laboratories of the Università di Pavia.
