Deep optical imaging of tissue with less scattering in the second, third and fourth nir spectral windows using supercontinuum and other laser coherent light sources

Abstract

Coherent light is used to image cells/molecules at wavelengths in the near-infrared (NIR) region in second, third and fourth spectral windows. Optical attenuation from thin tissue slices of normal and malignant breast and prostate tissue, and pig brain are placed between matched bandpass filters, within desired windows and measured within an NIR spectral window at wavelengths selected to highlight the desired cells/molecules. Due to a reduction in scattering and minimal absorption, longer attenuation and clearer images can be seen in the second, third and fourth NIR windows compared to the conventional first NIR window. The spectral windows have uses in microscope imaging one or more collagens, elastins, lipids and carotenoids in arteries, bones, breast, cells, skin, intestines, bones, cracks, teeth, and blood due to less scattering of light and improved signal to noise to provide clearer images.