Biomedical Optics Research Lab

University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
What the facility does

Research on novel methods for disease detection and cancer management

Areas of expertise

My research focuses on the development of emerging technologies for the biomedical science sector, including novel methods for disease detection and cancer management. The technology may find wider application in the material science and life science sectors. Specifically, we are investigating the potential of interstitial thermal therapy as an effective modality for the treatment of disease, including the thermal destruction of small solid tumors. We are developing 1) accurate treatment planning algorithms to optimize clinical protocols, 2) on-line monitoring strategies to control treatments and 3) novel imaging modalities (i.e. optoacoustic imaging) to assess treatment outcome. We are currently focusing our efforts on the treatment of prostate cancer. However, the general goal of this work is to optimize and control interstitial thermal therapy for a variety of tissue pathologies.

Research services
  • Optoacoustic imaging
  • Thermal therapies
  • Raman spectroscopy
  • Near infrared spectroscopy
Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment

Equipment

Function

Seno Medical Imagio Small Animal Optoacoustic Imaging System

The Imagio system produces real-time color images that distinguish between benign and malignant growths for all solid tumors. The research device produces detailed, full-scope images of small laboratory animals. The image contrast is related to both blood volume and oxygenation status, allowing lesions to be diagnosed immediately.

Point Radiance Spectroscopy System

USB 4000 spectrophotometer; Halogen light source

Surelite OPO Plus and Nd:YAG Laser

The Surelite OPO PLUS is a high-energy, broadband, low-cost tunable optical parametric oscillator, designed for producing light in the visible and infrared spectrum when pumped with a Surelite series Nd:YAG laser.

USB4000 Miniature Fiber Optic Spectrometer

The USB4000 features a 16-bit A/D, four triggering options, a dark-level correction during temperature changes, and a 22-pin connector with eight user-programmable GPIOs. The modular USB4000 is responsive from 200-1100 nm and can be configured with various optical bench accessories, light sources and sampling optics to create application-specific systems for thousands of absorbance, reflection and emission applications.

Tek-DPO 4034 Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope, 350 MHZ, 4 Channels

The Tektronix DPO4034B 350 MHz, 2.5GS/s, 4 channel Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope can analyze up to 20 analog and digital signals with a single instrument to quickly find and diagnose problems in complex designs. Bandwidths up to 350 MHz and a minimum of 5X oversampling on all channels ensure you have the performance you need to see fast-changing signal details. To capture long windows of signal activity while maintaining fine timing resolution, the Tektronix DPO4034B offers a deep record length of 20M points standard on all channels.

B&W Tek BWF2 High Power Fiber Couple Laser System

The BWF2 series is a compact turnkey fiber-coupled laser system providing up to 30 Watts of continuous power. The unique design of BWF2 includes features such as a red aiming beam, multifunctional relay controller for versatile laser operations, and a remote port for external modulation and control purposes.

Raman Spectrophotometer LS785 with PIXIS 256 BR CCD Camera

The Acton LS 785 is a high-throughput tunable Raman spectrometer that features a micrometer controlled grating, allowing the user to access the NIR between 750 nm and 1100 nm. The PIXIS 256 BR is a fully integrated system with permanent vacuum / deep cooling. It uses high-performance, spectroscopic-format industry standard CCDs.

FLIR i7 Thermal Camera

The FLIR i7 captures 19,600 pixels, exceeding RESNET resolution standards. This camera features 36% higher thermal resolution than before and a wider 29° field of view to allow clearer images and faster scans.

  • Ryerson University
  • University of Toronto/Princess Margaret Hospital
  • Dalhousie University
  • Tomowave Laboratories Inc

Title

URL

William Whelan, Faculty of Science, UPEI

https://www.upei.ca/profile/william-mark-whelan