Optical methods for quantitative and label-free sensing in living human tissues: principles, techniques, and applications

Abstract

We present an overview of quantitative and label-free optical methods used to characterize living biological tissues, with an emphasis on emerging applications in clinical tissue diagnostics. Specifically, this review focuses on diffuse optical spectroscopy, imaging, and tomography, optical coherence-based techniques, and non-linear optical methods for molecular imaging. The potential for non- or minimally-invasive assessment, quantitative diagnostics, and continuous monitoring enabled by these tissue-optics technologies provides significant promise for continued clinical translation.

Quantitative and Selective Surface Plasmon Resonance Response Based on a Reduced Graphene Oxide–Polyamidoamine Nanocomposite for Detection of Dengue Virus E-Proteins

“…They have the advantages of being highly sensitivity, allowing fast detection and real-time measurements, and having a simple configuration [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. The main advantage of optical sensors is the possibility of performing label-free quantitative detection, which allows direct binding without fluorescent labels or isotope labelling [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Recently, two well-known optical sensors have been used to identify and quantify the dengue virus, i.e., the tapered optical fiber (TOF) and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors.…”

Novel diffuse optics system for continuous tissue viability monitoring: extended recovery in vivo testing in a porcine flap model

“…The system employs diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for tissue sensing via fiber-optic patches for light delivery and collection, and software for continuous monitoring. DCS is based on coherence-based technique, measuring intensity fluctuation induced by moving particles inside a medium [1, 2]. DCS has been employed as a non-invasive method to assess blood flow in brain, muscle and bone [3–5].…”

“…DCS has been employed as a non-invasive method to assess blood flow in brain, muscle and bone [3–5]. DRS is a well-established technique to analyze reflectance spectra determined by tissue scattering and absorption properties altering upon tissue morphology and physiology [1]. Due to its potential for clinical translation, DRS has been widely employed in many clinical applications [6–8].…”

In vivo preclinical verification of a multimodal diffuse reflectance and correlation spectroscopy system for sensing tissue perfusion

“…DCS is a coherence based technique that measures intensity fluctuations induced by light reflecting off of moving particles REF[1,2]. DRS is a well established technique for analyzing reflectance spectra to obtain quantitative information about the reflecting medium’s biochemical composition.…”

“…DRS is a well established technique for analyzing reflectance spectra to obtain quantitative information about the reflecting medium’s biochemical composition. REF[1]. DRS has been widely employed in many clinical applications REF[3–5].…”