Design, development and validation of a compact transcutaneous fluorescence sensor for non-invasive assessment of gut function
File(s)
Author(s)
Monfort Sanchez, Elena
Type
Thesis
Abstract
The integrity of the intestinal barrier is a significant contributor to various pathophysiological conditions, including malnutrition. Abnormalities in the structure and function of the GI tract can lead to increased intestinal permeability, inflammation and severe nutrient malabsorption. Despite the importance of gut function, current techniques to assess intestinal permeability are costly, invasive, unreliable and/or difficult to perform in certain populations.
To address this, this thesis describes the development and validation of an optical sensing technology – transcutaneous fluorescence spectroscopy – to improve non-invasive assessment of gut permeability. This technique involves the oral administration of fluorescein and the following measurement of fluorescence signals non-invasively through the skin. The thesis first reports development of computational algorithms to process transcutaneous fluorescence signals. These algorithms provided successful classification of fluorescence signals from different gut permeability conditions induced in healthy volunteers.
To further optimise this technology to facilitate more widespread clinical adoption, subsequent work focused on developing a portable optical sensor. This system utilises a fibre-optic probe attached to a finger clip for light delivery/collection...
To address this, this thesis describes the development and validation of an optical sensing technology – transcutaneous fluorescence spectroscopy – to improve non-invasive assessment of gut permeability. This technique involves the oral administration of fluorescein and the following measurement of fluorescence signals non-invasively through the skin. The thesis first reports development of computational algorithms to process transcutaneous fluorescence signals. These algorithms provided successful classification of fluorescence signals from different gut permeability conditions induced in healthy volunteers.
To further optimise this technology to facilitate more widespread clinical adoption, subsequent work focused on developing a portable optical sensor. This system utilises a fibre-optic probe attached to a finger clip for light delivery/collection...
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2024-05-16
Date Awarded
01/09/2024
License URL
Advisor
Thompson, Alex
Avery, James
Darzi, Ara
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (Great Britain)
National Institute for Health Research (Great Britain)
Imperial College London
Grant Number
Grant No. MR/V012452/1
Publisher Department
Department of Surgery & Cancer (Imperial College London), UK / School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering (University of Leeds), UK
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)