SPECTROSCOPIC DIAGNOSTIC FOR BARRETTS DYSPLASIA

Not Available We propose to design a laser-induced fluorescence lidar, based on Arete's STIL (Streak Tube Imaging Lidar), for standoff detection of biological agents disseminated into the air. This system will transmit at UV wavelengths and receive several channels of induced fluorescence returns from the biological cloud. Leveraging on the STIL equipment and experience in Arete's electro-optics laboratory in Tucson, AZ, we will assemble a laboratory system and carry out necessary testing in the laboratory to demonstrate the imaging and biological agent discrimination capabilities of the system. Because of the innovative use of streak tubes as receivers, 3-D imaging can be achieved with a simple scanning mechanism. A system with both computer controllable multi-spectral and multi-scan capabilities will be able to collect both 3-D and temporally evolving images of potential biological agents in several spectral bands. This system will be capable of detection, discrimination and characterization of the biological agent.Simple discrimination procedures will be developed during Phase I and a more robust multi-spectral (multi-channel) processing and decision theory-based discrimination algorithm will be developed in the later Phase.