Abstract
We have investigated basic properties of normal gastrointestinal (GI) tract tissues, including glandular stomach (GS), fore stomach (FS), large intestine (LI), small intestine (SI), and esophagus (ESO), from a rat model using terahertz (THz) reflection imaging and spectroscopy. The THz images collected from stratified squamous epithelia (SSE) of FS and ESO show a lower peak-to-peak value compared to those from columnar epithelia (CE) of GS, LI, or SI because the SSE contains less water than CE. The refractive index and absorption coefficient of FS were less than those of GS or LI, both having values similar to those of water. Additionally, we report internal reflection THz signals from ESO, although we were unable to determine the exact interface for this internal reflection.
Highlights
Terahertz (THz) electromagnetic waves are highly sensitive to biomolecules and water content, they have applied to many biomedical applications [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
We have investigated basic properties of normal gastrointestinal (GI) tract tissues, including glandular stomach (GS), fore stomach (FS), large intestine (LI), small intestine (SI), and esophagus (ESO), from a rat model using terahertz (THz) reflection imaging and spectroscopy
The THz images collected from stratified squamous epithelia (SSE) of FS and ESO show a lower peak-to-peak value compared to those from columnar epithelia (CE) of GS, LI, or SI because the SSE contains less water than CE
Summary
Terahertz (THz) electromagnetic waves are highly sensitive to biomolecules and water content, they have applied to many biomedical applications [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. THz spectroscopic imaging techniques have received great attention owing to their use for cancer diagnosis in skin [11, 12] and breast tissues [13] by using differences in water content as a natural contrast agent [14]. The practical direction for the application of THz techniques would be to develop an easy, quick, and accurate mean to discriminate between normal and abnormal tissue. It might reduce unnecessary excision of normal tissue during cancer surgeries as well as assisting precise localization for biopsies
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