Using light, we can generate ever better images of the inside of the body. This includes photoacoustic methods for detecting breast cancer, methods for measuring blood flow in various tissues, and techniques for assessing the severity of burns. During his inaugural address at the University of Twente on 24 November, Prof. Wiendelt Steenbergen, the Professor of Biomedical Photonic Imaging, will present a digest of these methods’ potential and details of the research that he will be carrying out in his department. He will also appeal for more quantitative research in his field of study.
Within his department (Biomedical Photonic Imaging) at the University of Twente's MIRA research institute, Prof. Steenbergen is developing methods for creating medically relevant images of the inside of the body using "ordinary" light. One example of this is photoacoustic imaging. This involves shining pulsed laser light into tissue, causing slight, localized warming. This warming then generates a pressure wave that propagates through the body and can be detected in the form of ultrasound. This enables you to create detailed images of the inside of the human body, to depths of about five centimetres. Photoacoustic imaging makes it possible to detect tumours, such as those found in breast cancer. It also has many other applications, such as the detection of prostate cancer, or in rheumatology.
According to Prof. Steenbergen, his new light imaging techniques are a useful addition to existing techniques such as X-rays, MRI, and PET scans. The advantage of photoacoustic imaging is that it is harmless, and does not involve the use of radioactive agents or harmful radiation. It can harmlessly penetrate tissues in places where it is not always safe to use X-rays. Also, it is much cheaper making measurements with light than with MRI equipment.
In one new area in particular, Prof. Steenbergen hopes to put his techniques to good use. Biologicals are a new generation of drugs that are linked to antibodies, allowing them to target highly specific sites in the body. Photoacoustics can play an important part here, by detecting these medicinal products in the human body.
Quantitative measurement
In addition to presenting a digest of this work, Prof. Steenbergen will use his inaugural lecture to appeal for more quantitative research in his field of study. "At the moment, those in the medical world might not always have an immediate need for this. Some doctors are more than happy if we simply develop methods that can generate good images." However, this is not always enough for Prof. Steenbergen. "I want to do more than just make pretty pictures. I also want to know exactly how much blood is flowing through a blood vessel at a given point in time, as well as details of its oxygen saturation. In short, I want to refine this technique to make every photon count. In the end, that's exactly what the doctors want too."
"You obviously want your work to be relevant to the medical world, but applications often emerge by themselves. As scientists, we must continue to uphold our professional freedoms, rather than operating solely as an engineering company that serves the needs of industry" says Prof. Steenbergen. "Of course, we do cooperate as much as possible with the medical world."
CV
Prof. Steenbergen studied Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology. He then moved to Eindhoven University of Technology, where he carried out his doctoral research. Prof. Steenbergen has worked at the University of Twente since 1995. He started here as a postdoctoral researcher, subsequently becoming a lecturer, then a senior lecturer. Prof. Steenbergen has been head of the new department of Biomedical Photonic Imaging since 1 January 2010. His appointment as a full professor followed on 1 June 2010.
Note to the press
For more information, or a digital version of the inaugural address entitled "Light and Life - Every Photon Counts" by Prof. Wiendelt Steenbergen (available from 24 November) please contact the Science Information Officer Joost Bruysters(+31-(0)53-4892773 / +31-(0)6 10488228).
