An Artefact-Minimized Raman Probe for Analyzing Biological Tissues

Availability of a suitable tool for carrying out non-invasive measurement of Raman signatures in situ, from biological tissues having low Raman cross section is a clinically unmet need faced with manifold challenges. A Raman probe can prove to be an invaluable component of clinical Raman diagnostic systems. We present development of a Raman probe capable of measuring artefact free Raman spectra of biological tissues in situ. The developed probe uses a single lens for simultaneous illumination and collection of the Raman signal backscattered from the sample surface. This configuration ensures not only maximum overlapping of the illumination and collection volumes, ultimately leading to optimal throughput but also reduces the fiber-induced artefacts. The results show a superior performance of the developed Raman probe in measuring the Raman signatures from biological samples having lower Raman cross-sections, compared to that of the two commercially available Raman probes.