Abstract

Different techniques have been proposed to correlate optical properties of tissue and their physiology/pathology. In this paper, we describe a new optical biopsy method based on spatially resolved reflectance measurement using a small diameter probe (ø1.8 mm). The development of an appropriate model for photon propagation in tissue at such distances allows us to determine simultaneously reduced scattering coefficient µ_s’ and absorption coefficient µ_a. Being made spectroscopically, the measurements then provide information both on tissue structure (related to scattering coefficient) and chromophore content (related to absorption coefficient). Such features can be used to distinguish between normal tissues and various pathologies. We present the guidelines of the method and preliminary results obtained on mice, where significant contrast has been observed between normal and altered epidermis and dermis.

© 2000 Optical Society of America