Biomedical Applications of Self-Mixing Sensors based on Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser Arrays (2009-2011)
Abstract
The Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) is a device of choice for optical data networks. Its role in sensor development has been small to date. We propose that VCSEL arrays will allow development of ultra-compact sensing technology based on the self-mixing effect, ideally suited to the biomedical field. We will address two current clinical problems, the quantification of skin blood perfusion and optical measurement of surface biopotentials such as the electrocardiograph (ECG). This will provide novel devices for cardiac monitoring and imaging, and investigation into skin disorders such as burns and malignancies. Laboratory tests show that the performance of the VCSEL arrays is adequate for both applications.
