Brian Michael Cullum, 518761 Doves Fly Way, Laurel, MD 20723

7256886, Aug 14, 2007

Jul 21, 2005

11/186521

Brian M. Cullum - Laurel MD, US
Mikella Evon Hankus - Bel Air MD, US
Nirmala Chandrasekharan - Baltimore MD, US

University of Maryland at Baltimore County - Baltimore MD

G01J 3/44
G01N 21/65

356301, 385116

Provided herein is a reusable nano-imaging probe useful in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) applications demonstrating nanometer scale resolution. The nano-imaging probe generally comprises a fiber optic imaging bundle of fiber optic elements each having a tapered etched end and a non-tapered non-etched end. The tapered etched ends further comprise a SERS-active metal substrate deposited thereon effective to create a uniform SERS enhancement for an analyte or other substance of interest. Also provided is a SERS nanoimager for dynamic chemical imaging using the nano-imaging probe and methods of imaging and Raman spectral analysis and identification using the nano-imaging probe.

2005007, Mar 31, 2005

Nov 26, 2003

10/721824

Brian Cullum - Laurel MD, US
Nirmala Chandrasekharan - Baltimore MD, US
Ronak Mehta - Reisterstown MD, US
Soumi Saha - Edison NJ, US

A61B006/00

600473000, 600476000, 250458100, 356303000

A system and method for performing multispectral imaging locates features of interest in a specimen using a technique known as multiphoton photoacoustic spectroscopy. In this technique, a tunable high-power laser is used to initiate multiphoton excitation events which are then detected as an acoustic signal using a sensor such as an ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer. The transducer signal is processed to form a normalized MPPAS signal intensity which may then be used as a basis for forming a spectral image. Unlike other spectroscopies, MPPAS is able to monitor non-fluorescent species based on non-radiative relaxation of the light-absorbing species in the specimen. In addition, since the majority of energy imparted to the light-absorbing molecules is released through non-radiative pathways, sensitive measurements of even fluorescent molecules can be performed. The system and method may be applied to detect malignant cells in tissue samples although other uses are contemplated.

2006001, Jan 26, 2006

Jul 22, 2005

11/187300

Brian Cullum - Laurel MD, US
Honggang Li - Baltimore MD, US

G01J 3/44
G01N 21/65

356301000

Provided herein are dual- and multi-layer metal film over nanostructure substrates. These Dual-FON and Multi-FON SERS substrates comprise a rough nanostructured layer and two or more SERS-active metal film layers deposited thereon with a layer of dielectric between the metal film layers. Also provided is a method of increasing the intensity of a Raman signal during surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy using the SERS substrates and a method of fabricating these Dual- or Multi-FON SERS substrates.