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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy: Getting the Capillary Refill Test Under One's Thumb
Published on: December 2, 2017
A strategy for quantitative spectral imaging of tissue absorption and scattering using light emitting diodes and
Justin Y Lo1, Bing Yu, Henry L Fu
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. justin.lo@duke.edu
Abstract:
A diffuse reflectance spectroscopy system was modified as a step towards miniaturization and spectral imaging of tissue absorption and scattering. The modified system uses a tunable source and an optical fiber for illumination and a photodiode in contact with tissue for detection. Compared to the previous system, it is smaller, less costly, and has comparable performance in extracting optical properties in tissue phantoms. Wavelength reduction simulations show the feasibility of replacing the source with LEDs to further decrease system size and cost. Simulated crosstalk analysis indicates that this evolving system can be multiplexed for spectral imaging in the future.
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