A handheld device could diagnose traumatic brain injury in seconds by shining a safe laser into the eye and analysing the light that bounces back. Traumatic brain injury is notoriously difficult to diagnose at the roadside or pitchside. Current methods rely on bulky CT scanners, long waits, or invasive procedures, meaning many patients are mismanaged while the window for effective treatment closes. The WHO estimates neurotrauma will become the leading cause of death worldwide by 2028. This project combines two existing techniques—Raman spectroscopy, which detects molecular changes, and fundus imaging, which photographs the back of the eye—into a single portable device. Because the retina and optic nerve are direct extensions of the brain, the device can spot chemical markers of injury through the eye without needing to open the skull. If successful, the technology could be manufactured cheaply enough for paramedics, sports medics, and emergency rooms. Earlier, more accurate diagnosis would guide correct clinical pathways and reduce death and disability from a condition that currently leaves millions with permanent cognitive or physical impairment.
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Millions of people world-wide die from late diagnosis every year. In particular, in emergency care practice, life- critical decisions must be made rapidly, influencing patients' prognosis and the efficacy of treatment. There is a critical window for diagnosis of many acute diseases such as, traumatic brain injury (TBI) - a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. TBI has become a major challenge of the 21st century and by 2028, the WHO estimates that neuro-trauma will become the leading cause of death worldwide. While life-changing decisions must be made rapidly, it is notoriously hard to diagnose at the point-of-care, resulting in incorrect patient management and the chances of an individual suffering cognitive or physical impairment are massively increased. Current diagnostic technologies are woefully inadequate either requiring large equipment, long- waiting times, invasive or not sensitive and timely enough. There is an urgent need for new technologies to achieve timely intervention through rapid and accurate TBI diagnostics at the point-of-care. This research will open new horizons in medical devices by exploring how cutting-edge Engineering methods can enable a platform technology that will lead to next generation of applications in miniaturised sensors, monitoring and pharmaceuticals. Underpinning the topic is the development of pioneering portable technology for instantaneous detection of TBI-specific molecular changes, via simultaneous Raman spectroscopy and fundus imaging, to safely measure proxies of cerebral injury via the neuroretina and optic nerve, thus uniquely providing a window into brain biochemistry. Such disruptive technology will enable the low-cost manufacture of a handheld device for early diagnosis of acute injury, whether at the pitch side in contact sports, or the roadside following traffic accidents, will not only inform correct clinical pathways but also mitigate against death and disability from this devastating disease.
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