Abstract

A 1 GHz multi-frequency, multi-wavelength FDPM instrument is used to quantitatively measure optical properties of normal and malignant cells and tissues in vitro and in vivo, respectively. A spherical cuvette is developed for characterizing cell suspensions in small-volumes (0.45 mL). Absorption parameters are used to calculate hemoglobin concentration (oxy-, deoxy-, total-) and oxygen saturation in vivo. Scattering parameters are used to compare normal and malignant cells in vitro and evaluate the impact of cell size on the reduced scattering cross-section. Our results show that normal and malignant tissues have clearly resolvable optical and physiological property differences which may be useful in identifying tumors.

© 1996 Optical Society of America