Deep tissue imaging using spectroscopic analysis of multiply scattered light

Abstract

Scattering limits the penetration depth of most optical imaging techniques. Efforts to overcome this limitation often require complex optical or computational schemes. We have developed a new method of assessing tissue properties based on spectroscopic analysis of multiply scattered light. The technique, multispectral multiple-scattering low-coherence interferometry (ms2/LCI), uses coherence and spatial gating to produce images of tissue optical properties up to 9 mm deep, with millimeter-scale resolution. The capabilities of ms2/LCI are demonstrated using tissue phantoms composed of chicken breast. Discrimination of diseased and healthy tissues is shown through imaging and analysis of burns in ex vivo human skin samples. Our technique may provide a powerful way to assess burn depth and progression in sensitive, burned tissues where physical contact is undesirable.