New Raman sensor system for medical diagnostics is undergoing clinical testing

Compact Raman sensor system for clinical tests: This allows for contactless determination of carotenoid concentration in the skin. The values can be used to infer the health status of individuals. © FBH/M. Maiwald

The Thiem-Research GmbH, a research subsidiary of the Carl-Thiem-Klinikum (CTK) in Cottbus, has begun clinical testing of a novel compact Raman sensor system. It was developed at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz Institute for High-Frequency Technology in Berlin. The practicality of this promising technology is now being tested. So far, around 50 volunteers and patients from the 2nd Medical Clinic of CTK Cottbus have participated. More volunteers for the non-invasive testing are currently being sought.

Scientific studies have shown that the carotenoid concentration in the skin is an indicator of a person's health status. It can also provide insights into diseases and the effectiveness of therapies. This is where the research project funded by the BMBF at the "Innovation Campus Electronics and Microsensors Cottbus" – iCampµs Cottbus – comes into play. The prototype of the sensor system to be tested is based on Raman spectroscopy, an optical technique that allows the detection of various substances. This is made possible by a spectral signature that is as unique as a fingerprint. The system operates contactlessly, requires only short measurement times, and is suitable for analyzing biochemical substances.

The innovative spectrometer-free Raman sensor system was developed in the first phase of the iCampµs project at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut for applications in medical diagnostics and life sciences. It allows for the determination of the carotenoid (so-called antioxidants) content in the skin.

It could also provide important insights for the diagnosis of tumor diseases through the measurement of carotenoid concentration in the skin via Raman spectroscopy. As part of a study or clinical trial supervised by Dr. Anne Pfennig and PD Dr. Martin Schmidt-Hieber, chief physician of the 2nd Medical Clinic of CTK Cottbus, the system will also be tested during chemotherapy treatments. The aim is to investigate whether the results can lead to more precise and individualized treatment decisions for tumor diseases. The system could also be helpful in examining skin side effects in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Seeking interested participants for contactless clinical tests

Currently, volunteers who are healthy and over 18 years old are being sought. They should be willing to participate in the non-invasive sensor testing every three months for about one and a half hours over the course of a year. Only a small amount of blood will be needed as a comparison sample for a traditional blood analysis.

Interested individuals can contact Dr. Anne Pfennig directly via email at A.Pfennig@ctk.de.