title: Noninvasive Raman spectroscopy of human tissue in vivo.
abstract: We report the first transcutaneous Raman spectrum of human bone in vivo obtained at skin-safe laser illumination levels. The spectrum of thumb distal phalanx was obtained using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS), which provides chemically specific information on deep layers of human tissue, well beyond the reach of existing comparative approaches. The spectroscopy is based on collecting Raman spectra away from the point of laser illumination using concentric rings of optical fibers. As a generic analytical tool this approach paves the way for a range of uses including disease diagnosis, noninvasive probing of pharmaceutical products, biofilms, catalysts, paints, and in dermatological applications.
authors.affiliation: Central Laser Facility, CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, UK. P.Matousek@rl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matousek
authors.forename: Edward R C
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Draper
authors.forename: Allen E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Goodship
authors.forename: Ian P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Kate L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Ronayne
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D001842:Bone and Bones; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000295:instrumentation; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008027:Light; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D055100:Optical Fibers; D017785:Photons; D012637:Security Measures; D012867:Skin; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D013933:Thumb