Open AccessSpatially offset Raman spectroscopy for in vivo bone strength prediction
Author(s) -
Chi Shu,
Keren Chen,
Maria Lynch,
Jason R. Maher,
Hani Awad,
Andrew J. Berger
Publication year - 2018
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.9.004781
Subject(s) - raman spectroscopy , bone mineral , tibia , partial least squares regression , materials science , biomedical engineering , bone density , dual energy , osteoporosis , dual energy x ray absorptiometry , in vivo , bone matrix , nuclear magnetic resonance , optics , pathology , medicine , physics , anatomy , mathematics , cartilage , biology , statistics , microbiology and biotechnology
Bone strength is a worldwide health concern. Although multiple techniques have been developed to evaluate bone quality, there are still gaps to be filled. Here we report a non-invasive approach for the prediction of bone strength in vivo using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra were acquired transcutaneously from the tibiae of mice from 4 to 23 weeks old and subsequently on the exposed bones. Partial least squares regression was applied to generate predictions of the areal bone mineral density (aBMD), volumetric bone mineralization density (vBMD), and maximum torque (MT) of each tibia as quantified by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, microCT imaging, and biomechanical tests, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between Raman spectral predictions and the reference values in all three categories. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of Raman spectroscopy predicting a biomechanical bone parameter (MT) in vivo with an uncertainty much smaller than the spread in the reference values.