Optical Tissue Diagnostics: Fluorescence and Transillumination Imaging

Electro-optical and spectroscopic techniques are being developed to extend the capability of the human eye in optical tissue diagnosis. By using laser-induced fluorescence, malignant tumors can be detected employing specific spectral signatures of native chromophores or injected tumor-seeking agents. In a similar way, fluorescence can be utilized for making transluminal identification of atherosclerotic plaque to guide a fiber-optic laser ablation system. Tissue optical transillumination has until recently been hampered by heavy multiple-scattering blurring the images. By using time-gated techruques the influence of the scattering can be largely reduced giving promise for an efficient mammographic method using non-ionizing radiation.