Multi-spectral fiber spectroscopy methods as solutions for label-free medical diagnostics (Conference Presentation)

Optical spectroscopy offers unique opportunities for a label-free investigation of tissues at the molecular level to identify the variety of diseases. To transfer spectroscopic analysis from the scientific laboratories to clinical environment, fiber optic probes are required as optical bridges between the equipment and tissue. We developed single and combined fiber optic probes for the following set of spectroscopy methods: Mid IR-absorption, Raman scattering, Diffuse NIR-reflection, and auto-fluorescence. We benchmarked these methods and selected the optimal one (or their combination), that differentiate between healthy and malignant tissue, based on optical spectra. We tested cancer-normal tissue pairs of human body such as colon, kidney, brain as well as cartilages with and without injuries. Equines cartilage samples with and without osteoarthritis were tested as well. Obtained spectral data were evaluated by multivariate discrimination analysis to enable clear separation of malignant and normal tissues. Data fusion was revealed a synergic effect resulted in increasing of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (up to 98% for kidney cancer).