Model-based characterization platform of fiber optic extended-wavelength diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for identification of neurovascular bundles.

Significance: Fiber-optic extended-wavelength diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (EWDRS) using both visible/near-infrared and shortwave-infrared detectors enables improved detection of spectral absorbances arising from lipids, water, and collagen and has demonstrated promise in a variety of applications, including detection of nerves and neurovascular bundles (NVB). Development of future applications of EWDRS for nerve detection could benefit from the use of model-based analyses including Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and evaluation of agreement between model systems and empirical measurements.

Aim: The aim of this work is to characterize agreement between EWDRS measurements and simulations and inform future applications of model-based studies of nerve-detecting applications.

Development of a mobile phone camera-based transcutaneous bilirubinometer for low-resource settings.

Newborns in high-income countries are routinely screened for neonatal jaundice using transcutaneous bilirubinometery (TcB). In low-and middle-income countries, TcB is not widely used due to a lack of availability; however, mobile-phone approaches for TcB could help expand screening opportunities. We developed a mobile phone-based approach for TcB and validated the method with a 37 patient multi-ethnic pilot study.

A computationally efficient Monte-Carlo model for biomedical Raman spectroscopy.

Monte Carlo (MC) modeling is a valuable tool to gain fundamental understanding of light-tissue interactions, provide guidance and assessment to optical instrument designs, and help analyze experimental data. It has been a major challenge to efficiently extend MC towards modeling of bulk-tissue Raman spectroscopy (RS) due to the wide spectral range, relatively sharp spectral features, and presence of background autofluorescence. Here, we report a computationally efficient MC approach for RS by adapting the massively-parallel Monte Carlo eXtreme (MCX) simulator.

Clinical application of near infrared fiber optic spectroscopy for noninvasive bone assessment.

Approaches for noninvasive bone quality assessment are of great clinical need, particularly in individuals that require close monitoring of disease progression. X-ray measurements are standard approaches to assess bone quality; however, they have several disadvantages. Here, a nonionizing approach for noninvasive assessment of the second metacarpal bone based on near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was investigated.