Development of pulsed optical source with dynamic spectral shaping for hyper-spectral opto-acoustic imaging - ON-1224
Project type: ResearchDesired discipline(s): Engineering - biomedical, Engineering, Engineering - computer / electrical, Physics / Astronomy, Natural Sciences
Company: OA Signal Technologies Inc.
Project Length: Flexible
Preferred start date: 01/01/2027
Language requirement: English
Location(s): Toronto, ON, Canada
No. of positions: 1
Desired education level: Master'sPhDPostdoctoral fellowRecent graduate
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: No
About the company:
OA Signal is developing an automated non-contact opto-acoustic imaging platform that aims to make functional tissue imaging safer, faster, and more comfortable for patients. The system is designed to use light and sound to generate 3D maps of blood-vessel structure and oxygenation at clinically meaningful depths, without ionizing radiation, contrast agents, or ultrasound gel. Our core innovation is a patent-pending all-optical ultrasonic scanner, combined with proprietary image reconstruction and motion-tracking IP developed by our founding team.
We are currently building and validating the technology through staged prototypes, beginning with a research-use-only platform for labs and translational researchers. This creates a pathway to early customer adoption and technical validation before expanding toward automated clinical imaging applications, beginning with breast and cancer imaging.
Describe the project.:
Development of pulsed optical source with dynamic spectral shaping for hyper-spectral opto-acoustic imaging
Conventional opto-acoustic imaging relies on generating acoustic waves using one or more pulsed optical sources that operate a single predominant wavelength. The patent-pending technology of OA Signal involves the spectral-shaping of a broad-band optical source to modualate inter-pulse amplitudes of the generated acoustic waves. This diversifies the tissue’s optical contrast mechansim, improving the ablility to measure information about its optical properties. In particular, the approach can make solving concentrations of light absorbing molecules more accurate, rapid and/or cost effective than other techniques involving fixed-wavelengths or slow tunable lasers.
The optical components for creating and shaping the spectrum of the high-energy broadband pulse have been selected by OA Signal. To determine feasibility of the pulse-shaping technique as a whole, the task involves the setup, measurement, testing, design and calibration of a prototype apparatus. An optical workspace with laser safety considerations, along with test-equipment and fixtures capable to measure optical spectra is requried.
The candidate is expected to: assemble the optical hardware; follow laser safety protocols; align optical components on optical bench using optical mounts; select and determine lenses and other optical components that may be required to implement the design; use and/or develop software that interfaces with modulator or micro-controler to control spectral shaping; perform optical measurements about transmitted energy and optical spectrum; produce and document a report of the innovative research output that may result in journal or conference publication.
Required expertise/skills:
Familiarty with optics and opto-acoustics or photo-acoustics is an asset. Familiarty with python and or micro-controllers is an asset. Familiarity with lab equipment for device charactarization is an asset.
