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Advances in Optical Imaging of Biomedical Media a
Author(s) -
ALFANO R. R.,
DEMOS S. G.,
GAYEN S. K.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb46200.x
Subject(s) - ultrashort pulse , photonics , phone , engineering physics , library science , telecommunications , physics , laser , computer science , optoelectronics , optics , linguistics , philosophy
In this article, we have presented an overview of fundamental issues involved in mediphotonic imaging, and reviewed some of the emerging techniques for early-light transillumination imaging of body organs. The results on human breast tissues presented here, together with the data accumulated and advances made by researchers around the globe, not only demonstrate the feasibility of optical imaging as a clinical procedure but indicate a road map to reach that goal. The milestones include evaluation of relative merits of available approaches for a particular imaging application; selection of diagnostic wavelengths, as well as sources to generate and detectors to monitor light at those wavelengths; accumulation of data on optical, spectroscopic, and transport properties of tissues and organs; in vivo testing; prototype instrumentation development; clinical trials; governmental approval; cost analysis and marketing; and finally system improvement based on feedback from end users. A new era of optical clinical imaging is at the door.