Biophotonics

Contact: Dr. Martin Leahy
Dept. of Physics, University of Limerick
E-mail: Martin.Leahy@ul.ie
Tel. +353-61-213056

Dr. Martin J. Leahy's 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) and oxygenation (spectroscopy), which have found many applications due to the role of the microcirculation in all organs. More recently his research group has been collaborating with the University of Linkoping in the development of a suite of instruments related to tissue viability and skin aging. The first of these, the 'TiVi imager' is just now becoming 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. Three PhD students are working on these themes, which are closely linked to clinical need.
 

Fig. 1 Preliminary TiVi results. Before and after effects of vasodilator by iontophoresis. Note the spatial heterogeneity of the circulation.

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