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Terahertz Attenuated Total Reflection Spectral Response and Signal Enhancement via Plasmonic Enhanced Sensor for Eye Drop Detection

Authors :
Eugene Soh Jia Hao
Nan Zhang
Qiang Zhu
Xizu Wang
Karen Ke Lin
Source :
Sensors, Vol 23, Iss 19, p 8290 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

With chronic ocular diseases such as glaucoma and dry eye syndrome, patients have to apply eye drops over the long term. The therapeutic effects of eye drops depend on the amount of drug contained and the stability of the solution. In addition, contamination during usage and transport can also negatively affect the quality and efficacy of eye drops. The current techniques for the characterization of eye drops are often complicated and time-consuming. Developing a fast and non-invasive way of accurately measuring eye drop quality remains an ongoing challenge. The biggest challenge and primary prerequisite for the application of this new detection technique for eye drops is the obtention of a sufficient spectral response and resolvable signal, considering the large background signal contributed by water. In this work, we use terahertz (THz) attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy combined with a sensitive hybrid graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotube (CNT) thin-film sensors to obtain distinct THz spectral signals in commercial eye drops. Various commercial eye drop products have been tested, and we show that they can be differentiated via their spectral signals. Our results provide a solid foundation for the future fine analysis of eye drops and the detection of their quality. Furthermore, THz spectroscopy combined with GO/CNT films has significant potential and advantages for the non-destructive characterization of aqueous pharmaceutical products.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14248220
Volume :
23
Issue :
19
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Sensors
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.11538af527bb427cb2fdfec75f56d18e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/s23198290