Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/164, 1060 Vienna, Austria.
Chem Soc Rev. 2017 Oct 2;46(19):5903-5924. doi: 10.1039/c7cs00403f.
Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) are the first room temperature semiconductor laser source for the mid-IR spectral region, triggering substantial development for the advancement of mid-IR spectroscopy. Mid-IR spectroscopy in general provides rapid, label-free and objective analysis, particularly important in the field of biomedical analysis. Due to their unique properties, QCLs offer new possibilities for development of analytical methods to enable quantification of clinically relevant concentration levels and to support medical diagnostics. Compared to FTIR spectroscopy, novel and elaborated measurement techniques can be implemented that allow miniaturized and portable instrumentation. This review illustrates the characteristics of QCLs with a particular focus on their benefits for biomedical analysis. Recent applications of QCL-based spectroscopy for analysis of a variety of clinically relevant samples including breath, urine, blood, interstitial fluid, and biopsy samples are summarized. Further potential for technical advancements is discussed in combination with future prospects for employment of QCL-based devices in routine and point-of-care diagnostics.
量子级联激光器（QCL）是中红外光谱区的首个室温半导体激光源，为中红外光谱技术的发展带来了巨大的推动。中红外光谱通常提供快速、无标记和客观的分析，在生物医学分析领域尤为重要。由于其独特的性质，QCL 为开发分析方法提供了新的可能性，能够定量检测临床相关浓度水平并支持医学诊断。与傅里叶变换红外光谱相比，可以实施新颖和精心设计的测量技术，从而实现小型化和便携式仪器。本文综述了 QCL 的特性，特别关注它们在生物医学分析中的优势。总结了基于 QCL 的光谱学在分析各种临床相关样本（包括呼吸、尿液、血液、间质液和活检样本）方面的最新应用。结合基于 QCL 的器件在常规和即时诊断中的应用前景，讨论了进一步的技术发展潜力。
