Disposable sheath that facilitates endoscopic Raman spectroscopy.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Spectroscopy

Background:

• In vivo endoscopic Raman spectroscopy (ERS) of human tissue is established but faces challenges.
• Key issues include controlling laser radiation dose, ensuring measurement repeatability, and probe degradation from reprocessing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a disposable, biocompatible, sterile sheath for fiber optic endoscopic Raman probes.
• To overcome technical limitations of current ERS procedures, enhancing reliability and probe lifespan.

Main Methods:

• Developed a disposable sheath with an optical window to maintain probe-tissue distance.
• Investigated optical properties of sheath materials to minimize spectral interference.
• Tested the sheath's performance in controlling contamination, turnaround time, and probe aging.

Main Results:

• The sheath effectively controlled contamination and reduced probe aging.
• Spectral variability was reduced by 1.5 to 8.5 times.
• Laser radiation dose was strictly controlled within permissible exposure standards.

Conclusions:

• The disposable sheath is a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution for in vivo endoscopic Raman spectroscopy.
• It significantly improves measurement repeatability, probe durability, and safety during tissue analysis.