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Remote biomedical spectroscopic imaging of human artery wall
C C Hoyt1, R R Richards-Kortum, B Costello
1George R. Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Laser spectroscopic imaging (LSI) creates tissue maps using laser-induced signals transmitted through optical fibers. A prototype catheter successfully imaged human arteries, distinguishing plaque from normal tissue for atherosclerosis diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Laser spectroscopic imaging (LSI) offers remote acquisition of spectroscopic data from biological tissues.
- Spectroscopic signals can be collected via optical fibers to construct tissue characteristic maps.
- Atherosclerosis diagnosis relies on differentiating arterial wall and plaque composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and demonstrate a prototype laser spectroscopic imaging catheter for in vitro arterial imaging.
- To assess the feasibility of using LSI for real-time diagnosis of atherosclerosis.
- To validate the accuracy of LSI in identifying normal arterial tissue, atherosclerotic plaque, and blood.
Main Methods:
- A prototype LSI catheter with 19 optical fibers was developed.
- Argon ion laser (476 nm) excitation was used to induce fluorescence.
- An optical multichannel spectral analyzer detected fluorescence in the 500-650 nm range.
- Sequential sampling and computer processing generated 19-pixel spectroscopic images.
Main Results:
- Distinct fluorescence spectra were observed for normal artery wall, atherosclerotic plaque, and blood.
- The LSI catheter successfully produced spectral images of fresh cadaver arteries in vitro.
- Histological analysis confirmed the accurate identification of tissue types and plaque regions.
- Real-time imaging capability was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Laser spectroscopic imaging is a viable technique for remote tissue characterization.
- The developed LSI catheter system shows promise for real-time in vivo diagnosis of atherosclerosis.
- This technology enables accurate differentiation of arterial tissues based on their spectral signatures.