Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS): an overview of recent progress and future potential for biomedical applications

• Published in: Journal of medical engineering & technology Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 77 - 89
• Main Authors: Rehse, S. J., Salimnia, H., Miziolek, A. W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 01.03.2012; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Bacteria - chemistry; Biomedical Technology; Humans; Infectious diseases; Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy; Lasers; Medical diagnostics; Microbiological Techniques; Point-of-care; Rapid pathogen identification; Spectrum Analysis - instrumentation; Spectrum Analysis - methods; Tooth - chemistry
• ISSN: 0309-1902; 1464-522X
• DOI: 10.3109/03091902.2011.645946

The recent progress made in developing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has transformed LIBS from an elemental analysis technique to one that can be applied for the reagentless analysis of molecularly complex biological materials or clinical specimens. Rapid advances in the LIBS technology have spawned a growing number of recently published articles in peer-reviewed journals which have consistently demonstrated the capability of LIBS to rapidly detect, biochemically characterize and analyse, and/or accurately identify various biological, biomedical or clinical samples. These analyses are inherently real-time, require no sample preparation, and offer high sensitivity and specificity. This overview of the biomedical applications of LIBS is meant to summarize the research that has been performed to date, as well as to suggest to health care providers several possible specific future applications which, if successfully implemented, would be significantly beneficial to humankind.