Quantitative assessment of tissue structures based on Mueller matrix polarimetry and derived parameters imaging

Abstract

As an emerging new tool for characterizing microstructural features of tissues and cells, Mueller matrix polarimetry has attracted more and more attention. It has been widely used in various biomedical studies and applications, especially pathological diagnosis for its significant advantages in distinguishing tissue microstructural changes as a non-invasive, non-contact and label-free tool. Recently, several Mueller matrix analyzing methods have been proposed to derive groups of parameters with clear associations to microstructures and physical properties of tissues. In this study, for quantitative assessment of different tissue structures accurately, we compared several groups of Mueller matrix derived parameters with similar physical meanings of linear retardance, linear birefringence fast axis orientation, diattenuation, and depolarization. By performing the correlation analysis of both the transmission Mueller matrix microscopic imaging results of thin tissue slices and backscattering Mueller matrix imaging results of bulk tissue samples, we discuss the applicability of the original and modified Mueller matrix derived parameters for tissue structures assessment, then give the suggestions for appropriate parameter selection in biomedical studies and applications.