Lasers and Biomedical Optics

Code:

F4008

Acronym:

F4008

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Medical Physics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:FM	14	Study plan since academic year 2023/2024	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

To acquire knowledge on: the main optical properties of living tissues; the processes of interaction of light with living tissues, in particular absorption and diffusion. To know the most important optical sources, lasers in particular, as well as optical systems, including microscopes used in biomedical applications. TO understand the main effects arising from the interaction of light with biological tissues, in diagnosis and treatment scenarios. To understand and be able to apply Standards on the safe use of lasers and related protection measures application. To know the state of the art of the most significant imaging techniques applied in the field of biomedical applications.

 

 

Learning outcomes and competences

With this knowledge, the students are expected to develop the know-how to assess different scenarios where laser-biotissue interaction plays a determinant role, as in laser diagnosis/imaging/treatment, using light. 

Knowledge on the state of the art and main imaging techniques relevant for applications in the field of biomedical applications

Working method

Presencial

Program

• 
  

  Light Sources

  
  
  
  
  • Lasers, LEDs, discharge lamps... their properties
  
  
  
  

  Optical Systems for Laser Beam Manipulation

  
  
  
  
  • Lenses, mirrors, polarizers, prisms, diffraction gratings, filters
  
  
  
  

  Calculations Related to the Laser Beam

  
  

  Waveguides, Optical Fibers, and Endoscopes

  
  

  Light-Matter Interaction

  
  
  
  
  • Absorption
  
  
  • Scattering
  
  
  • Measurement of the optical properties of tissues
  
  
  • Fluorescence
  
  
  
  

  Interaction Mechanisms and Medical Applications

  
  
  
  
  • Photochemical interaction
  
  
  • Thermal interaction. Effects of heat on biotissues
  
  
  • Photoablation. Cytotoxicity of UV radiation
  
  
  • Plasma-induced ablation
  
  
  • Photodisruption
  
  
  
  

  Laser Safety and Protection

  
  
  
  
  • Standards and risk classification
  
  
  • Ocular protection
  
  
  
  

  Medical Applications of Lasers: Sensing and Imaging

  
  
  
  
  • Optical microscopy
  
  
  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
  
  
  • Nonlinear optical phenomena
  
  
  • Spectroscopy
    
    
    
    • FTIR
    
    
    • Raman
    
    
    • ...
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Mandatory literature

Niemz Markolf H.; Laser-tissue interactions. ISBN: 978-3-540-72191-8
Tsia Kevin K. 340; Understanding biophotonics. ISBN: 978-981-4411-77-6
Hecht Eugene; Optics. ISBN: 0-201-11611-1 (a suggestion for an optics revision support. there are other authors that can be considered )

Complementary Bibliography

Wang Lihong V.; Biomedical optics. ISBN: 978-0-471-74304-0 (numerical models, concise, up to date)
Masters Barry R.; Confocal microscopy and multiphoton excitation microscopy. ISBN: 978-0-8194-6118-6
Bronzino Joseph D. 340; The biomedical engineering handbook. ISBN: 3-540-66351-7 Vol. I
Splinter R.; An introduction to biomedical optics. ISBN: 0-7503-0938-5

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical-practical classes, with great emphasis on the discussion of studied physical processes and applications.

The theory-practical classes allow the flexible exploitation of the learned concepts by solving practical problems during the learning process, aiming at demonstrating concepts but also introducing new practical scenarios analysis. With this approach, the students have the opportunity to start developing their analysis and contextualized concepts application capacity since an early learning stage.

The distributed assessment aims at fomenting the development of a group work environment: students are stimulated to approach the assessment tasks in small work and discussion groups, and written presentation of the developed work. Additionally, these tasks allow the early identification of programmatic difficulties by the students, and consequently to train the application of new concepts.

Some exploratory activities will be proposed in optics laboratory, for better understanding of concepts.

keywords

Technological sciences > Technology > Medical technology
Physical sciences > Physics > Applied physics > Medical physics
Technological sciences > Engineering > Biomedical enginnering
Physical sciences > Physics > Biophysics
Physical sciences > Physics > Optics > Applied optics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	80,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho escrito	32,00
Trabalho laboratorial	8,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Accomplish assesments along the semester, on due dates. 

Calculation formula of final grade

Problems Solving and or writen assay> 30%

Final exam: 70%.

Classification improvement

Improvement to the discipline can be accomplished by the appeal  exam (Recurso), contributing to the exam component (70% of the maximum grade).

Improvement to the written work component may be required as long as it is done during the class period.

Observations

the  juri of the course is composed by:
- Pedro Alberto da Silva Jorge
- Carla Susana Santana Carmelo Rosa