Noninvasive Near-infrared Research Articles

Noninvasive blood glucose assay using a newly developed near-infrared system

This paper reports in vivo near-infrared (NIR) noninvasive blood glucose assay using dermis tissue spectra. We assume that the glucose content in dermis tissue traces the variations in blood glucose. For dermis spectra measurements, epidermis, especially stratum corneum, acts as an interference in skin tissue. Thus, we have developed a method for the selective measurement of dermis tissue spectra, enabling us to obtain better quality spectra for an accurate blood glucose assay. The selective measurement of the dermis spectra realized by using a newly developed fiber-optic probe that consists of source and detector optical fibers separated by 0.65 mm on a skin surface. The light path in the skin tissue for this geometry has been simulated by a Monte Carlo method. The simulation results show that detected light mainly interrogates dermis tissue. As the absorbance signal of glucose in human tissue is extremely small, the quality of the measured spectra is critical for the reliable assay. The present method for blood glucose assay has been applied to one Type 1 diabetic. The correlation coefficient between the blood glucose content predicted by NIR spectra and those measured by finger-prick was 0.928 and the standard error of prediction was 32.2 mg/dL. These results demonstrate the potential of our methodology for noninvasive NIR blood glucose assay.

On-line prediction of chemical composition of semi-frozen ground beef by non-invasive NIR spectroscopy

The chemical composition of industrial scale batches of frozen beef was measured on-line during grinding by near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy. The MM55E filter based non-contact NIR instrument was mounted at the outlet of a meat grinder, and the fat, moisture and protein contents determined from the average of each filter reading throughout the grinding of the batch. The filters were selected from full spectra measurements to be as insensitive to water crystallization as possible. For on-line calibration and prediction, 55 beef batches of 400–800 kg in the range of 7.66–22.91% fat, 59.36–71.48% moisture, and 17.04–20.76% protein, were ground through 4 or 13 mm hole plates. The regression results, presented as root mean square error of cross validation (RMSECV) were between 0.48 and 1.11% for fat, 0.43 and 0.97% for moisture and 0.41 and 0.47% for protein.

Near-infrared Raman spectroscopy of single particles

Raman spectroscopy using non-invasive near-infrared (NIR) laser light has become a powerful tool for the microscopic analysis of organic and biological materials. A Raman tweezers microscope (RTM) was developed by combining NIR Raman spectroscopy with the laser trapping technique, which enables us to expand the scope of single particle studies. Recent results obtained using the RTM for single droplets and polymer spheres in a micrometer range are reported.

Sources of Absorption and Scattering Contrast for Near-Infrared Optical Mammography

Rationale and Objectives Near-infrared (NIR) diffuse optical spectroscopy and imaging may enhance existing technologies for breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. NIR techniques are based on sensitive, quantitative measurements of functional contrast between healthy and diseased tissue. In this study, the authors quantified the origins of this contrast in healthy breasts. Materials and Methods A seven-wavelength frequency-domain photon migration probe was used to perform noninvasive NIR measurements in the breasts of 28 healthy women, both pre- and postmenopausal, aged 18–64 years. A diffusive model of light transport quantified oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin, water, and lipid by their absorption signatures. Changes in the measured light-scattering spectra were quantified by means of a “scatter power” parameter. Results Substantial quantitative differences were observed in both absorption and scattering spectra of breast as a function of subject age. These physiologic changes were consistent with long-term hormone-dependent transformations that occur in breast. Instrument response was not adversely affected by subject age or menopausal status. Conclusion These measurements provide new insight into endogenous optical absorption and scattering contrast mechanisms and have important implications for the development of optical mammography. NIR spectroscopy yields quantitative functional information that cannot be obtained with other noninvasive radiologic techniques.

The Determination of Wheat Breadmaking Performance and Bread Dough Mixing Time by NIR Spectroscopy for High Speed Mixers

A non-invasive near infrared (NIR) technique has been used to identify changes in the development of bread dough during mixing. A Perten DA-7000 Diode Array NIR instrument with a fibre optic probe attachment was used. Both breadmaking and biscuit making varieties of wheat were examined. Doughs were mixed using a laboratory scale Chorleywood Bread Process (CBP) mixer and NIR spectra were gathered (one every 2 s). Flour quality data were used to determine the relationship between NIR and breadmaking quality attributes and to study varietal differences in breadmaking performance. Instrumental and sensory techniques were used to establish the important quality attributes of commercially and laboratory produced bread. NIR spectra and mixer torque were measured at different mixing times to obtain an overall picture of the mixing process from the initial hydration of the flour particles through optimum dough development until overmixing had occurred. Loaves were produced and assessed for volume by seed displacement and crumb structure using an image analysis technique. The dough elastic modulus was measured at a range of mixing times using a Bohlin VOR Rheometer. Comparison of results from the NIR spectra, dough properties and bread quality was carried out. Results revealed a relationship between the rheological properties of dough and the final quality parameters of bread. NIR was shown to have considerable merit in following dough changes during mixing which were related to final bread quality and thus has the potential to be used as an on-line method for controlling breadmaking mixers.

Multiphoton microscopy in life sciences.

Near infrared (NIR) multiphoton microscopy is becoming a novel optical tool of choice for fluorescence imaging with high spatial and temporal resolution, diagnostics, photochemistry and nanoprocessing within living cells and tissues. Three-dimensional fluorescence imaging based on non-resonant two-photon or three-photon fluorophor excitation requires light intensities in the range of MW cm(-2) to GW cm(-2), which can be derived by diffraction limited focusing of continuous wave and pulsed NIR laser radiation. NIR lasers can be employed as the excitation source for multifluorophor multiphoton excitation and hence multicolour imaging. In combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), this novel approach can be used for multi-gene detection (multiphoton multicolour FISH). Owing to the high NIR penetration depth, non-invasive optical biopsies can be obtained from patients and ex vivo tissue by morphological and functional fluorescence imaging of endogenous fluorophores such as NAD(P)H, flavin, lipofuscin, porphyrins, collagen and elastin. Recent botanical applications of multiphoton microscopy include depth-resolved imaging of pigments (chlorophyll) and green fluorescent proteins as well as non-invasive fluorophore loading into single living plant cells. Non-destructive fluorescence imaging with multiphoton microscopes is limited to an optical window. Above certain intensities, multiphoton laser microscopy leads to impaired cellular reproduction, formation of giant cells, oxidative stress and apoptosis-like cell death. Major intracellular targets of photodamage in animal cells are mitochondria as well as the Golgi apparatus. The damage is most likely based on a two-photon excitation process rather than a one-photon or three-photon event. Picosecond and femtosecond laser microscopes therefore provide approximately the same safe relative optical window for two-photon vital cell studies. In labelled cells, additional phototoxic effects may occur via photodynamic action. This has been demonstrated for aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX and other porphyrin sensitizers in cells. When the light intensity in NIR microscopes is increased to TW cm(-2) levels, highly localized optical breakdown and plasma formation do occur. These femtosecond NIR laser microscopes can also be used as novel ultraprecise nanosurgical tools with cut sizes between 100 nm and 300 nm. Using the versatile nanoscalpel, intracellular dissection of chromosomes within living cells can be performed without perturbing the outer cell membrane. Moreover, cells remain alive. Non-invasive NIR laser surgery within a living cell or within an organelle is therefore possible.

Non-invasive confirmation of the identity of tablets by near-infrared spectroscopy

Calibration of non-invasive near-infrared (NIR) analysis for measurements in diffuse reflectance and transmittance was conducted to confirm the identity of different film-coated and uncoated tablets. NIR-spectra of both sides of the intact tablet s were recorded in diffuse reflectance. The second derivation of the spectra was computed and spectral matching was calibrated. A restricted wavelength range was proposed to recognize the tablets independently of the presentation over the NIR-light beam. For transmittance measurement, the tablets were arranged in groups according to their similarities. All calibrations were teste d against an independent set of sample spectra. The NIR-method proved to be fast and effective. Key-words. Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy - diffuse reflectance - transmittance - non-invasive tablets analysis - identity testing.

Simulation of the point spread function for light in tissue by a Monte Carlo method.

We have been able by a Monte Carlo technique to generate the point spread function (PSF) for light in tissue for a generalized range of tissue characteristics. We have demonstrated that these can be described by an equation containing a gaussian, diffusion and exponential term. The PSF equation will allow one to estimate the limits of spatial resolution achievable with near infrared (NIR) imaging systems, and may be used in image deconvolution algorithms. Additionally an equation has been derived describing the average photon pathlength through the tissue. Finally, the light transmission and reflection (backscattering) have been illustrated as functions of scattering and absorption coefficients. These results can be used in attempting to quantify data from non-invasive NIR spectroscopy systems.