Venkata S' Chivukula

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Bioengineering Research Grant (BRG)
(R01) National Institute of Health National
Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering

• Venkata S. Chivukula
• Doctoral Student
• Electrical Engineering

4th December, 2007
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The Funder

• National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Science in pursuit of fundamental
  knowledge about nature and behavior of living
  systems and the application of that knowledge to
  extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of
  illness and disability

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering (NIBIB) Improving health by
leading the development and accelerating the
application of biomedical technologies
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The RFP
OBJECTIVES
Encourage multi-disciplinary research To develop
innovative technologies to improve basic
knowledge, human health and quality of life
Example Deep Brain Stimulation Treatment for
Parkinsons Disease
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Leg Work

• Your proposed project sounds very interesting
  and appropriate for the NBIB and the BRG program
  announcement
• -Christine A. Kelley, Director, Division of
  Discovery Science and Technology NIBIB/NIH/DHHS

Preliminary Discussion Contribution
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Novel Ultrasensitive Terahertz (THz)
Spectroscopic Technique for Real Time Analysis of
Human Breath
Lead PIs Prof. Michael Shur, Dr. Andrey
Muraviev, Dr. Selim Suner
4th December, 2007

• Venkata S. Chivukula
• Doctoral Student
• Electrical Engineering

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Where Who we are ?
Low Center for Industrial Innovation
Co-PI
Co-PI
Prof. Michael Shur
Patricia W. and C. Sheldon Roberts48 Professor
of Solid State Electronics
Dr. Andrey Muraviev
Dr. Selim Suner,MD
Prinicipal Investigator
Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine, Surgery
and Engineering, Brown University
Research Scientist/Adjunct Professor Dept of
Physics College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL)
University of Central Florida
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Problem Analysis

• Difficult to qualify and identify compounds in
  Human Breath
• Hard to detect vanishingly small concentration of
  compounds

Intercavity Laser Spectroscopy at Terahertz
Frequencies
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Situation

• Why Human Breath Analysis ?
• Detects active infection
• Non-invasive
• Fast (reliable ?)
• Cost effective ?
• Current Situation
• Main methods used-
• Mass spectrometry (Metabolic Solution Inc.)
• Mid-infrared ring-down technique

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Situation

• Goal
• Develop novel inter-cavity laser spectroscopy
  at terahertz frequencies to detect and
• Effects
• Spectroscopic analysis at THz absorption band.
• Operation at cryogenic temperatures.
• Benefits
• High sensitivity
• Better resolution

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Opportunity
TODAY
TOMORROW
Diagnosis Monitoring

• Risk prediction what could happen?
• Early detection what is happening
  now?
• Therapy prediction what will happen?
• Pharmacogenomics which therapy to use?

Traditional Diagnostics
Expand Testing Market
test drug test
test test test
test test/drug test
Diagnosis
Monitoring
Predisposition Testing
Targeted Monitoring
Prevention
Diagnosis
Therapy
Monitoring
Prognosis
Provide Health Information Disease risk
Drug Choice Health Status Therapy Efficacy
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The Proposal
Objectives

• Develop a concept and theoretical basis
• Build an external cavity setup for terahertz
  lasers with vapor compartment for intracavity
  spectroscopy experiments.
• Study and compare output intensity stability
• Experimentally demonstrate sensing and determine
  sensitivity thresholds.
• Prepare a plan for commercialization of the
  developed technique for medical use.

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The Proposal
Methods

• Employ a terahertz laser with an external open
  cavity.
• Experimental design will allow vapor or gas to be
  exposed to the path of the beam inside the laser
  cavity.
• Increase effective absorption path to allow
  extraordinary sensitivity along with superfine
  spectral resolution,
• Enhance sensitivity by rarifying and/or cooling
  breath samples.

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Timeframe
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Qualification

• Prof. Michael Shur, Acting Director CIE,
  Broadband Research Center, Connection One
• Leader in THz Electronics
• One of the Founders of SET Inc.
• 1000 Publications, 32 books, 30 patents
• Dr. Selim Suner, M.D., Associate Professor,
  Emergency Medicine, Surgery and Engineering,
  Brown University
• International expert in emergency preparedness
  and disaster medicine
• Director for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster
  Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital
• Dr. Andrey Muraviev, Adjunct Professor in Physics
  at UCF
• Expert in Terahertz Lasers and Masers

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Benefits
Advantages over conventional techniques

• Non-invasive diagnostics procedure
• Rapid real time analysis of a breath sample
• Extremely high sensitivity
• Broad range of chemical compounds amenable for
  analysis

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BOTTOMLINE
NIH Solicitation
Our Proposal

• Multidisciplinary research
• Innovative technology to improve basic knowledge,
  human health and quality of life

• Collaborative work with experts in various fields
• Novel ultrasensitive intercavity terahertz
  spectroscopy for human breath analysis

A Terrific Investment Opportunity With Tremendous
Benefit
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• THANK YOU