Laserati

Professor, US Navy team up to diagnose decompression sickness

It
may not rank among the top 10 causes of death, but decompression
sickness can be fatal. Instead of waiting for symptoms to appear, a
University of Houston professor is developing a laser-based system that
can diagnose the sickness in a matter of seconds.

Kirill Larin, assistant professor of biomedical engineering
and mechanical engineering, is using a $400,000 grant from the U.S.
Navy to develop the first optical non-invasive tool to test those most
likely to suffer from decompression sickness, such as scuba divers,
submariners and airplane pilots. Decompression sickness affects those
who experience sudden, drastic changes in the air or water pressure
surrounding their bodies. It can cause anything from joint pain – known
as the bends – to seizure, stroke, coma and, in the most extreme cases,
death.

“Most of the time, decompression sickness isn’t addressed
until the person starts showing clinical symptoms,” Larin said. “It
would be better, of course, to treat the problem before the symptoms
appear. That would allow individuals to take the appropriate medical
actions to reduce the side effects of decompression sickness.”

Larin’s optical device can locate the presence of nitrogen
gas – or microbubbles – in blood and tissues, which can restrict the
flow of blood throughout the body and cause damage. Larin is developing
the tool, which works much like an ultrasound machine, with Dr. Bruce
Butler of the UT Health Science Center in Houston. Instead of getting
readings using sound waves, however, Larin’s system uses light waves in
the form of lasers that bounce back when they encounter resistance,
thereby providing a high-resolution image.

The Navy could eventually use this technology on all divers
or pilots returning to the surface. By shining the laser on one of
these individuals, it would provide an image that would reveal the
presence of any microbubbles in the blood or tissue – all in a matter
of seconds. If microbubbles are found, then medical steps, such as time
in a decompression chamber, could be taken before the symptoms appear.

An early version of the tool has been able to locate
microbubbles as small as six micrometers, or six thousandths of a
millimeter. Most microbubbles are between five and 15 micrometers,
about the size of a red blood cell.

The device also could be used at the International Space
Station, where individuals moving from a ship to the station have
suffered from the effects of decompression sickness. With continued
research, everyone from highly trained naval divers and pilots, to
astronauts and seaside vacationers could benefit.

About the University of Houston

The
University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research and
teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and
institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research
university in the country, stands at the forefront of education,
research and service with more than 35,000 students.

About the Cullen College of Engineering

UH
Cullen College of Engineering has produced five U.S. astronauts, ten
members of the National Academy of Engineering, and degree programs
that have ranked in the top ten nationally. With more than 2,600
students, the college offers accredited undergraduate and graduate
degrees in biomedical, chemical, civil and environmental, electrical
and computer, industrial, and mechanical engineering. It also offers
specialized programs in aerospace, materials, petroleum engineering and
telecommunications.

For more information about UH, visit the university’s Newsroom at www.uh.edu/newsroom.