Objective The application of a novel ultra-sensitive photoacoustic gas sensor is proposed to allow for online monitoring of an intravenously administered anaesthetic agent, which is exhaled at trace levels with the patient’s breath during surgery. We respond to a real and acute need for clinical online monitoring of anaesthetic concentrations in the patient’s blood stream during surgery. In the drafting of this proposal, the Applicant, himself from a physical sciences background, has extensively consulted with Prof. T. Absalom and Dr. D Wheeler, Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK to define the clinical problem at the core of this application. The project focuses on the monitoring of propofol, one of the most widely used intravenous anaesthetics in general anaesthesia. Currently the effectiveness of propofol induced anaesthesia is only assessed symptomatically, based on highly subjective and unsophisticated scoring. A viable online capability to monitor exhaled trace levels of propofol in patients does not currently exist but would dramatically improve the level of control over its administration. It would both improve the quality of anaesthetic management by tailoring dosage to the individuals’ needs, reduce clinical recovery times and patient aftercare with associated cost benefits. The project is based on a unique interdisciplinary ensemble of physicists, chemical engineers, medical professionals and potential commercial manufacturers focusing on a high impact engineering challenge. The Applicant has an excellent academic background. He has already gained international recognition in terms of invited conference contributions. He has been one of the key players to develop the proposed sensor technology. The proposed high impact project in a multidisciplinary environment at the University of Cambridge, UK, would fully qualify the Applicant for an independent research post at an internationally recognised research institution. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgeryengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineanaesthesiologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics Keywords Applied optics Chemical engineering Medical physics Photoacoustic Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) PEOPLE-2007-2-1.IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE EU contribution € 178 874,06 Address TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Dawn Barker (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
