Subsurface and transcutaneous Raman spectroscopy, imaging, and tomography

Light scattering prevents the direct chemical monitoring of tissue and turbid materials, making it difficult to obtain accurate chemical information. We have developed novel fiber optic Raman probes for biomedical applications that are capable of recovering Raman spectra through several millimeters of overlying turbid materials such as skin, muscle, and adipose tissue. This is accomplished by spatially separating the region that is illuminated from the collection fields of view. In light scattering systems, this spatial separation emphasizes signal originating from below the surface of the scattering material. Engineering polymers and animal models have been used to investigate the depths at which accurate Raman spectrum recovery is achievable and to demonstrate the preservation of spatial information. Using these novel fiber optic probe configurations we have recovered accurate Raman spectra of bone tissue through 5 mm of overlying tissue; we have validated our measurements in vivo and demonstrated Raman tomography for the first time.