Abstract
In the processes related to the development of cancer, there are different genetic and epigenetic events involved that result in structural changes of the affected cells. In the early stages of the disease, these changes occur at the nanoscale, remaining undetectable by conventional light microscopy, due to diffraction-limited resolution (∼250 - 550 nm). In this sense, a technique termed partial wave spectroscopy (PWS) allows the detection of these nanostructural changes by measuring a statistical parameter called disorder strength (L d ). PWS uses a combination of a tunable filter and a camera to acquire the backscattering spectra for each pixel on the image. In this paper, we study and validate the possibility of obtaining a qualitative measurement of the disorder using the spectrum of the averaged spatial information. Instead of using spatial information and measuring sequentially spectral ranges, we measure the backscattered signal gathered by an optical fiber by means of a spectrograph. This will allow this method to be applied in systems where it is not possible to acquire a complete high resolution image for many spectral bands, while significantly enhancing speed.
Highlights
It can not be observed through conventional microscopy, healthy tissue suffers from different alterations before the development of a tumor, the so-called field cancerization [1]
We evaluate the possibility of using a setup based on an spectrometer to calculate the Ld parameter directly from the backscattering signal gathered by an optical fiber
To determine the area seen by the fiber between each set of measurements, a laser beam was guided from the side of the spectrometer to the sample
Summary
It can not be observed through conventional microscopy, healthy tissue suffers from different alterations before the development of a tumor, the so-called field cancerization [1]. It is related to the disease progression and relapse, involving multiple molecular events prior to tumor initiation and migration. This effect has been observed in most kind of tissues present in the different organ systems of the human body [2]. A method able to detect these nanoscale changes, before the development of a tumor, is paramount in order to prevent and prematurely treat diseases in which the reaction time is a main factor [3]. In developed stages it has a prime importance, helping to monitor tumor progression and defining tumor margins [4]
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