{"id":31,"date":"2019-12-18T16:23:16","date_gmt":"2019-12-18T16:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/?page_id=31"},"modified":"2026-10-23T14:23:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T13:23:52","slug":"in-vivo-raman-probes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/techniques\/in-vivo-raman-probes\/","title":{"rendered":"In Vivo Raman Probes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Advancing real-time diagnostics through innovative optical technologies.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have developed two innovative Raman spectroscopy devices that enable molecular analysis of tissue directly within the human body. These technologies are designed to provide rapid, minimally invasive diagnostic information at the point of care, reducing reliance on conventional surgical biopsy and supporting faster clinical decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our research focuses on translating advanced optical technologies into practical clinical tools that improve patient outcomes, reduce diagnostic delays, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two platforms currently under development are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>An Endoscopic Raman Probe<\/strong> for assessing oesophageal tissue during routine endoscopic procedures (confocal).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A Raman Needle Probe<\/strong> for investigating enlarged lymph nodes and other tissues beneath the skin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both systems have successfully undergone in vivo clinical evaluation in human patients and represent important steps towards real-time, non-destructive tissue diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Endoscopic Raman Probe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Molecular Diagnostics During Endoscopy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A miniature confocal Raman probe has been developed to acquire molecular information from the surface of the oesophagus during standard endoscopic examinations. Designed to fit through the instrument channel of a conventional endoscope, the probe enables tissue assessment without altering routine clinical workflows. The probe is of a confocal design to only measure the surface tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The technology has been evaluated in 25 patients undergoing Barrett&#8217;s oesophagus surveillance procedures at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Minimally invasive tool for rapid oesophageal tissue assessment<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/313\/2026\/10\/In-vivo-probe-1-e1710442985617-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1179\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.1788629006519855;width:266px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/313\/2026\/10\/In-vivo-probe-1-e1710442985617-1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/313\/2026\/10\/In-vivo-probe-1-e1710442985617-1-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Raman endoscopic probe on the surface of the oesophagus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Potential Clinical Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Real-time tissue characterisation during endoscopy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved identification of abnormal tissue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More accurate targeting of conventional biopsies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced diagnostic uncertainty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhanced patient management during a single procedure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By providing molecular-level information directly from living tissue, the technology has the potential to support earlier detection of disease and improve the efficiency of diagnostic pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For further information, please visit: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rapide-diagnostics.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rapide-diagnostics.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Raman Needle Probe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optical Biopsy Through a Standard Needle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Raman needle probe combines optical fibres with a Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, within a conventional hypodermic needle, allowing Raman spectra to be collected from tissues located beneath the skin. This approach enables molecular assessment of tissue without the need to remove a core or surgical sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The device has successfully completed safety testing in 14 patients at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>An<\/em> <em>intelligent optical biopsy at the tip of a needle, in real-time<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1506\" height=\"1129\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/313\/2026\/10\/IMG-20250603-WA00181-e1748956615645-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1171\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.1788629006519855;width:275px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/313\/2026\/10\/IMG-20250603-WA00181-e1748956615645-edited.jpg 1506w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/313\/2026\/10\/IMG-20250603-WA00181-e1748956615645-edited-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/313\/2026\/10\/IMG-20250603-WA00181-e1748956615645-edited-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/313\/2026\/10\/IMG-20250603-WA00181-e1748956615645-edited-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1506px) 100vw, 1506px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Needle probe ready for in vivo use<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Towards Instant Diagnosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Current diagnostic pathways often require tissue samples to be removed surgically and sent for histopathological analysis, introducing delays while patients await results. Surgical biopsies can also be associated with discomfort, scarring, infection risk, nerve injury, and extended recovery times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Raman needle probe aims to provide an <strong>optical biopsy<\/strong> by delivering diagnostic information directly from tissue in situ, potentially offering:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Faster diagnosis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced need for invasive procedures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved patient experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lower healthcare costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support for real-time clinical decision-making<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research has demonstrated that Raman spectroscopy can differentiate between lymphoma and metastatic disease in laboratory studies, and our ongoing work seeks to translate these capabilities into routine clinical use through an in vivo diagnostic platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For further information, please visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/dolphin-diagnostics.co.uk\">dolphin-diagnostics.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research Translation and Clinical Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The development of these devices reflects BioSpec&#8217;s commitment to translating photonics and spectroscopy research into technologies that address unmet clinical needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Achievements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Development of two novel medical Raman devices for use in humans. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clinical evaluation in patients undergoing routine NHS procedures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaboration with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Progress towards minimally invasive, real-time cancer diagnostics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commercial translation through dedicated spin-out activities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Collaborate With Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We welcome opportunities to collaborate with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clinicians and healthcare providers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Academic researchers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medical device companies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Industry partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Investors and commercialisation specialists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our team has extensive expertise in Raman spectroscopy, biomedical optics, clinical translation, and medical device development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advancing real-time diagnostics through innovative optical technologies. We have developed two innovative Raman spectroscopy devices that enable molecular analysis of tissue directly within the human body. These technologies are designed to provide rapid, minimally invasive diagnostic information at the point of care, reducing reliance on conventional surgical biopsy and supporting faster clinical decision-making. Our research [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1119,"featured_media":0,"parent":39,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-sidebar-boxed-feature-img.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>In Vivo Raman Probes - BioSpec<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/biospec\/techniques\/in-vivo-raman-probes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"In Vivo Raman Probes - BioSpec\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Advancing real-time diagnostics through innovative optical technologies. We have developed two innovative Raman spectroscopy devices that enable molecular analysis of tissue directly within the human body. These technologies are designed to provide rapid, minimally invasive diagnostic information at the point of care, reducing reliance on conventional surgical biopsy and supporting faster clinical decision-making. 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