Optical Molecular Imaging: Overview and Technological Aspects

Summary Optical Molecular Imaging (OMI) is an in vivo procedure for early detection of pathologically changed tissue, such as tumours and inflammatory rheumatoid finger joints. Combining the advantages of optical diagnostics with the potential of genetic research, it employs specific markers to enhance the contrast of diseased tissue areas. These so-called optical markers can be both fluorescent and absorbent. The purpose of OMI is to activate the markers exclusively in the pathologically changed areas by means of specific enzyme reactions thus obtaining high contrast. The detection system must be highly sensitive and tailored to the marker's mechanism and field of application. Procedures such as diffuse optical tomography (DOT) and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIF) are suitable for OMI systems. One out of many suppositions for the application of OMI is the accessibility of light penetration (cm range) in pathological changes, provided appropriate markers are found. The OMI principle is another challenging field of research, which offers a wide range of applications and a huge potential for the development of cost-favourable and efficient diagnostic methods.

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