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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/N39678/01
Title: MEDICAL TERAHERTZ PULSED IMAGING: THE INTERACTION OF TERAHERTZ RADIATION WITH BIOLOGICAL TISSUE
Principal Investigator: Berry, Dr E
Other Investigators:
Chamberlain, Professor JM Smith, Professor MA
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Medicine
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2000 Ends: 30 September 2003 Value (£): 66,726
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Image & Vision Computing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Medical terahertz imaging has recently become feasible with developments in the technologies for the generation and detection of terahertz radiation, which is non-ionising electromagnetic radiation of wavelength from 30 microns to 1mm. There is great potential for safe in-vivo imaging, with medical applications ranging from assessment of wound healing to tracking cancer progression. The first images of biological tissue were recently obtained from a pork chop. An advantage of terahertz wavelengths is that the do not suffer from severe scattering that occurs for shorter wavelengths, however there is strong absorption by water. Preliminary measurements on tissue penetration showed that predictions of attenuation based on water content alone were incorrect, and in this project we will investigate this finding. We will develop a theoretical model for the absorption of terahertz radiation and compare results with experimental measurements. An investigation of safety issues will be performed and a demonstration made of in-vivo imaging of both healthy and diseased tissue. The knowledge generated will be important for the safe, responsible and productive use of terahertz imaging.
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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk