2. Department of Physics, University of Utah
Scanner Origin
Werner Gellermann, Ph.D.
Research Professor
Department of Physics, University of Utah

3. Center for Biomedical Optics Dixon Laser Institute, University of Utah
Personnel
Werner Gellermann, Ph.D.
Igor Ermakov, Ph.D.
Robert McClane
Maia Ermakova
Steven Wintch
Tige Cook
Lihong Jin
Mohsen Sharifzadeh
Paul Bernstein, Ph.D, M.D.
Da-You Zhao, M.D.
Prakash Bohsale
Technologies
Novel Raman Spectroscopy and Raman Imaging
Novel, high-brightness blue-green light sources
Novel light source for PDT
Existing laser technologies
Funding
National Institutes of Health,
State of Utah
Spectrotek, LLC

4. Biophotonics Bio = Living Organism Photon = Light
Biophotonics = Measuring living organisms with light
The future of health tests
blood sugar
bilirubin
antioxidant defense

5. Raman Scattering Sir C. V. Raman, Nobel Prize in Physics 1930
Laser light
Raman scattered light
Vibronic Energy Levels

6. Raman spectrum of carotenoids

7. Raman measurements of lutein and zeaxanthin in the living human retina
Raman Instrument
Healthy retina
Raman results:
Decline of carotenoids with age
Vision with AMD
Normal vision

8. Measuring Skin Carotenoid Levels
Exposure time ……………. 20 sec
Laser …………….488 nm; 5 mW
Laser light spot diameter …. 2 mm
Intensity at skin … W/cm2 
Radiant exposure about 1500 times lower that AINSI safety limit

9. Raman measurements of group of 1266 subjects
Mean: 19,281
Std.Dev.: 8,769
N = 1,266
Number of Subjects
Skin carotenoid Raman signal, a.u.
Feasible to assess carotenoid content in large numbers of subjects; field studies
Study correlation between disease and tissue carotenoid antioxidant levels
Study bioavailability, uptakes, correlation with blood levels, etc.

10. Future
Use portable Raman carotenoid scanner in epidemiological and clinial studies to determine correlation between carotenoid levels in tissue and risk for diseases.
Novel, noninvasive biomarker for fruit and vegetable uptake (NIH grant for collaboration between University of Utah and Yale University; start date: Spring 2003; contact Pharmanex for Details)