Methods of enhanced light transmission through turbid biological media

摘要

A new process to increase light transmission in biological tissue has been developed. The technique involves temporarily replacing tissue water with a fluid that has a refractive index closer to that of inter/intra cellular components. Subsequently, the amount of index mis-match between these components and the fluid environment is temporarily decreased. This lowers the amount of random reflection and refraction which also reduces light scattering. In addition, the infrared absorption is reduced when the fluid has a lower absorption coefficient than water. Furthermore, this process is reversible; thus creating a transient window to enhance light transmission for therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications.