Author(s): T. Bakker Schut, S. Koljenovic, G. Puppels
Normal tissue and diseased tissue differ in their overall molecular composition. Raman spectra are a representation of this molecular composition and can therefore be used to investigate the changes that accompany disease and to discriminate between normal and diseased tissue. The facts that the technique is non-destructive and does not require any sample pre-treatment make it very suitable for in vivo application.
Development of dedicated miniaturized fiber optical probes paves the way for Raman- guidance of clinical procedures, such as taking biopsies and surgery, and in vivo diagnosis of disease.