Open AccessArticular cartilage optical properties in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range vary with depth and tissue integrity
Author(s) -
Bilour Khan,
Iman Kafian-Attari,
Ervin Nippolainen,
Rubina Shaikh,
Dmitry V. Semenov,
Markku Hauta-Kasari,
Juha Töyräs,
Isaac O. Afara
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
biomedical optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.362
H-Index - 86
ISSN - 2156-7085
DOI - 10.1364/boe.430053
Subject(s) - cartilage , materials science , articular cartilage , biomedical engineering , structural integrity , optics , matrix (chemical analysis) , osteoarthritis , pathology , anatomy , medicine , composite material , physics , alternative medicine , structural engineering , engineering
Optical properties of biological tissues in the NIR spectral range have demonstrated significant potential for in vivo diagnostic applications and are critical parameters for modelling light interaction in biological tissues. This study aims to investigate the optical properties of articular cartilage as a function of tissue depth and integrity. The results suggest consistent wavelength-dependent variation in optical properties between cartilage depth-wise zones, as well as between healthy and degenerated tissue. Also, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in both optical properties were observed between the different cartilage depth-wise zones and as a result of tissue degeneration. When taken into account, the outcome of this study could enable accurate modelling of light interaction in cartilage matrix and could provide useful diagnostic information on cartilage integrity.