Abstract
Raman spectroscopy is an optical technique based on inelastic scattering of light by vibrating molecules and can provide chemical fingerprints of cells, tissues or biofluids. The high chemical specificity, minimal or lack of sample preparation and the ability to use advanced optical technologies in the visible or near-infrared spectral range (lasers, microscopes, fibre-optics) have recently led to an increase in medical diagnostic applications of Raman spectroscopy. The key hypothesis underpinning this field is that molecular changes in cells, tissues or biofluids, that are either the cause or the effect of diseases, can be detected and quantified by Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, multivariate calibration and classification models based on Raman spectra can be developed on large “training” datasets and used subsequently on samples from new patients to obtain quantitative and objective diagnosis. Historically, spontaneous Raman spectroscopy has been known as a low signal technique requiring relatively long acquisition times. Nevertheless, new strategies have been developed recently to overcome these issues: non-linear optical effects and metallic nanoparticles can be used to enhance the Raman signals, optimised fibre-optic Raman probes can be used for real-time in-vivo single-point measurements, while multimodal integration with other optical techniques can guide the Raman measurements to increase the acquisition speed and spatial accuracy of diagnosis. These recent efforts have advanced Raman spectroscopy to the point where the diagnostic accuracy and speed are compatible with clinical use. This paper reviews the main Raman spectroscopy techniques used in medical diagnostics and provides an overview of various applications.
Highlights
Raman spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique that can measure the chemical composition of complex biological samples, such as biofluids, cells and tissues
The broad range of techniques and applications presented in this article demonstrate the potential of Raman spectroscopy for medical diagnostics, as well as the high interest in this technique
Raman spectroscopy can achieve high diagnosis accuracy, and results in many applications that have been confirmed across numerous different laboratories
Summary
Raman spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique that can measure the chemical composition of complex biological samples, such as biofluids, cells and tissues. Similar to other optical techniques, Raman spectroscopy can provide real-time (or near real-time) molecular information and highresolution imaging at relatively low cost compared to other wellestablished medical imaging techniques (e.g. ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.) This is an important feature as often the clinical implementation and translation of technologies are limited by practical, logistical and financial factors. New strategies have been recently developed to address this limitation: imaging modalities based on non-linear Raman scattering, multimodal integration and selective-sampling Raman microscopy, the use of nanomaterials and photonic structures to enhance the Raman signals, fibre-optics probes for hand-held diagnostic devices and endoscopes, spatially-offset and needle-probes for deep and subsurface diagnostics These developments have made important steps toward maximising the diagnostic accuracy and speed, and often rely on cost-effective solutions that are likely to be adopted into the healthcare services.
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