Tutorial on methods for estimation of optical absorption and scattering properties of tissue

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Diffuse optics enables estimation of tissue optical properties for disease detection and monitoring.
• Optical absorption and scattering coefficients serve as biomarkers for biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate measurement principles and practical considerations for diffuse optics-based estimation methods.
• To guide readers in selecting appropriate methods for optical property estimation.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of estimation methods: steady state, time domain, frequency domain (FD), and spatial domain.
• Utilizing models of light-tissue interactions coupled with experimental measurements (reflectance/transmittance).
• Employing inverse solutions to derive absorption and scattering coefficients.

Main Results:

• Tissue optical properties have been estimated for various ex vivo and in vivo tissues and phantoms.
• The choice of estimation method involves balancing advantages and limitations for specific applications.

Conclusions:

• Optical absorption and scattering property estimation is a vital and accessible tool for medical diagnosis.
• This technique supports continuous health monitoring and advances biomedical research.