Reflectance spectra analysis for mucous assessment.

This review report represents an overview of research and development on medical hyperspectral imaging technology and its applications. Spectral imaging technology is attracting attention as a new imaging modality for medical applications, especially in disease diagnosis and image-guided surgery. Considering the recent advances in imaging, this technology provides an opportunity for two-dimensional mapping of oxygen saturation (SatO) of blood with high accuracy, spatial spectral imaging, and its analysis and provides detection and diagnostic information about the tissue physiology and morphology. Multispectral imaging also provides information about tissue oxygenation, perfusion, and potential function during surgery. Analytical algorithm has been examined, and indication of accurate map of relative hemoglobin concentration and SatO can be indicated with preferable resolution and frame rate. This technology is expected to provide promising biomedical information in practical use. Several studies suggested that blood flow and SatO are associated with gastrointestinal disorders, particularly malignant tumor conditions. The use and analysis of spectroscopic images are expected to potentially play a role in the detection and diagnosis of these diseases.