| The NIR technique is a promising method for making hemodynamic measurements in biological tissue. The primary goal of this dissertation is to develop an in vivo hemoglobin quantification system. A broadband NIR system is constructed using an Andor spectrograph and CCD camera, and then the second differential spectrum method is applied in this system. A comprehensive test for validation was completed and the test results show good reproducibility and accuracy in estimating the concentration of deoxyhemoglobin. Two methods, 'Graded Hypoxia Method' and 'Anoxia Pulse Method', were implemented in order to quantify total hemoglobin. The 'Graded Hypoxia Method' is a new approach modified from desaturation-resaturation method. The broadband NIR system was successfully applied to a unique study of angiogenesis in normal mammalian brain. The broadband NIR system provided a powerful tool for NIR measurement in hemoglobin and CBV studies and effectively complemented the current used methods in NIR measurement. |
