The use of optical techniques for the diagnosis of disease and the monitoring of patients is as old as medicine, although before the mid 1800’s, the data was of a qualitative and observational nature; doctors (whether knowingly or not!) using their eyes as the optical detector and spectral analyser. Optical methods were put on a more scientific and objective basis following the development in the first half of the 20th century of instrumentation enabling quantitative measurement of spectral content and light intensity. However, the most dramatic changes have taken place over the last thirty years, driven by the parallel technical developments in lasers, optical fibres and semiconductors. It is now possible to use optical techniques (often in a non-invasive manner) to provide accurate and localised measurements of parameters such as blood oxygenation, volume and flow, tissue metabolism, biochemical makeup and structure. This talk will illustrate how we can now use ‘mere light’ to do everything from monitoring individual cell function to imaging the brain, all in a safe, non invasive manner and often at the bedside.

Dave Delpy graduated from Brunel University in 1970 with a degree in Applied Physics. Following a two year period in industry, he joined the Medical Physics and Bioengineering Department at UCL to work in the area of monitoring the premature baby – an area which has remained the focus of his research to the present day. In 1991 he became Hamamatsu Professor of Medical Photonics and the Head of Department and since 1999 he has been a Vice Provost at UCL. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Medical Sciences.

In association with UCL