Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) is a technique used in biomedical optics that uses collimated light — a laser — to explore flow rates in the body. Significant applications for DCS include analysis of rates associated with blood flow and cerebral spinal fluid, though DCS can be applied in many situations. DCS is an attractive technology for understanding biological tissue because it is noninvasive, inexpensive and can be used in conjunction with other technologies. Here, efforts are presented to develop a portable DCS system. This work strives to develop a deeper understanding of a table top DCS so that the same principles can be applied to a condensed version that will eventually fit in a portable box. Particular areas of interest through the semester have been on the function of lenses and mirrors in the DCS optical circuit as well as the underlying task of optimizing the system’s laser. These investigations have resulted in a more thorough understanding of concepts like the focal length, indices of refraction and the angle of acceptance for an optical fiber. These developments will lend themselves to the construction of a portable model for the DCS system. As this project continues to develop, future work will include an investigation into the DCS system’s process for data collection as well as the mathematical theories that are used to describe the data. The ultimate goal for the project will be the successful construction of a portable DCS system that can be employed in a hospital setting for clinical research. Some particular applications of interest include hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer’s disease. For individuals drawn to clinical research as a career, the development of a portable DCS system is important work, allowing them to explore all aspects of experimental design in a context that combines the fields of physics and medicine.
Author: Olivia Kline
Faculty Advisor: Karthik Vishwanath, Physics
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