ABSTRACT
Full exploitation of fibre Raman probes has been limited by the obstruction of weak Raman signals by background fluorescence of the sample and the intrinsic Raman signal of the delivery fibre. Here we utilised functionalised gold nanoshells (NS) to take advantage of the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) effect to enhance the pH responsive spectrum of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA). However, the fibre background is still dominant. Using the photon arrival time-resolving capability of a CMOS single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) based line sensor, we recover the SERS spectrum without a fibre background in a 10 s measurement. In this manner, pH sensing through a multimode fibre at a low excitation power that is safe for future in vivo applications, with short acquisition times (10 or 60 s), is demonstrated. A measurement precision of ± 0.07 pH units is thus achieved.
ABSTRACT
Previously unobtainable measurements of alveolar pH were obtained using an endoscope-deployable optrode. The pH sensing was achieved using functionalized gold nanoshell sensors and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The optrode consisted of an asymmetric dual-core optical fiber designed for spatially separating the optical pump delivery and signal collection, in order to circumvent the unwanted Raman signal generated within the fiber. Using this approach, we demonstrate a ~100-fold increase in SERS signal-to-fiber background ratio, and demonstrate multiple site pH sensing with a measurement accuracy of ± 0.07 pH units in the respiratory acini of an ex vivo ovine lung model. We also demonstrate that alveolar pH changes in response to ventilation.
