Low-Cost Raman Spectroscopy Setup Combined with a Machine Learning Model

The diagnosis of kidney diseases presents significant challenges, including the reliance on variable and unstable biomarkers and the necessity for complex and expensive laboratory tests. Raman spectroscopy emerges as a promising technique for analyzing complex fluids, like urine, and detecting important disease biomarkers. However, its complexity, high cost and limited accessibility outside clinical contexts complicate its application. Moreover, the analysis of Raman spectra is a challenging and intensive task. In response to these challenges, in this study, we developed a portable, simplified and low-cost Raman system designed to acquire high-quality spectra of liquid complex samples. Using the "Starter Edition" methodology from the OpenRAMAN project, the system was optimized through laser temperature adjustments, by evaluating the laser emission spectrum under different temperatures with a spectrometer, and through adjustment of the acquisition parameters of the software used, by acquiring the ethanol spectra. The system validation was performed through the acquisition of Raman spectra from five urine samples, demonstrating its consistency and sensitivity to composition variations in urine samples. Additionally, a neural network was designed and trained using methanol and ethanol solutions. The model's hyperparameters were optimized to maximize its precision and accuracy, achieving 99.19% accuracy and 99.21% precision, with a training time of approximately 3 min, underlining the model's potential for classifying simple Raman spectra. While further system validation with more samples, a more in-depth analysis of the biomarkers present in urine and the integration with more sophisticated elements are necessary, this approach demonstrates the system characteristics of affordability and portability, making it a suitable solution for point-of-care applications and offering simplified accessibility for assessing the diseases risk outside clinical contexts.