Light scattering spectroscopic imaging of tissues

Light scattering spectroscopic (LSS) imaging is a novel optical technology developed to probe the structure of living cells and tissues without need for tissue processing such as fixation or staining. LSS makes it possible to significantly enhance single backscattering from cell components such as nuclei and other organelles and differentiate this component from multiply scattered light. The spectrum of the single backscattering is further analyzed to provide quantitative information about cell morphology such as nuclear size, degree of pleomorphism, degree of hyperchromasia, amount of chromatin, nuclear and cytoplasmic sub-micron texture, etc. In LSS imaging, each pixel of a 2D-image is represented by a spectrum of backscattered light and a map of histological properties over wide areas of tissue is obtained. Because alteration of cell and nuclear morphology are associated with precancerous and cancerous changes in the majority of epithelia, LSS imaging can be used to detect precancerous lesions in optically accessible organs.