Simultaneous Dual-Wavelength Source Raman Spectroscopy with a Handheld Confocal Probe for Analysis of the Chemical Composition of In Vivo Human Skin

Abstract

Confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) is a powerful tool that has been widely used for biological tissue analysis because of its noninvasive nature, high specificity, and rich biochemical information. However, current commercial CRS systems suffer from limited detection regions (450−1750 cm −1 ), bulky sizes, nonflexibilities, slow acquisitions by consecutive excitations, and high costs if using a Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy with an InGaAs detector, which impede their adoption in clinics. In this study, we developed a portable CRS system with a simultaneous dual-wavelength source and a miniaturized handheld probe (120 mm × 60 mm × 50 mm) that can acquire spectra in both fingerprint (FP, 450−1750 cm −1 ) and high wavenumber (HW, 2800−3800 cm −1 ) regions simultaneously. An innovative design combining 671 and 785 nm lasers for simultaneous excitation through a compact and high-efficiency (>90%) wavelength combiner was implemented. Moreover, to decouple the fused FP and HW spectra, a first-of-its-kind precise Raman spectra separation algorithm (PRSSA) was developed based on the maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) estimate. The accuracy of spectra separation was greater than 99%, demonstrated in both phantom experiments and in vivo human skin measurements. The total data acquisition time was reduced by greater than 50% compared to other CRS systems. The results proved our proposed CRS system and PRSSA's superior capability in fast and ultrawideband spectra acquisition will significantly improve the integration of CRS in the clinical workflow.

High wavenumber Raman spectroscopy for intraoperative assessment of breast tumour margins

“…From the HWN spectra, they could ascertain water content of in vivo skin. 42 Similarly, Masson et al . used a Raman probe with dual laser excitation which could switch between 680 nm and 785 nm.…”

“…From the HWN spectra, they could ascertain water content of in vivo skin. 42 Similarly, Masson et al used a Raman probe with dual laser excitation which could switch between 680 nm and 785 nm. From the HWN water band they were able to quantify the water content of tissue phantoms as well as from ex vivo mouse cervix tissue in different conformations validated by the wet and dry weights of the samples.…”