William F. Finney

Subsurface Raman Spectroscopy and Mapping Using a Globally Illuminated Non-Confocal Fiber-Optic Array Probe in the Presence of Raman Photon Migration

We report the use of a fiber-optic probe with global illumination and an array of 50 collection fibers (PhAT probe, Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc.) to obtain Raman spectra and 50 spatial element maps of polymers through overlayers of other polymers that are highly scattering. Band target entropy minimization (BTEM) is used to recover the spectra of the subsurface components and generate maps of their distributions. This approach to subsurface mapping is tested with model systems consisting of two or three layers of polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), and polyoxymethylene (Delrin) arranged in different geometries. Raman spectra and maps were obtained through overlayer thicknesses of up to 13 mm. Subsurface spatial resolution is achieved because each fiber views an asymmetric distribution of Raman scattered light from surface and subsurface components that depends on the position of the fiber relative to the depth and position of a component and the extent of photon diffusion through the system.

Recent developments in Raman and infrared spectroscopy and imaging of bone tissue

Vibrational spectroscopy is an important tool in mineralized tissue research. This review focuses on recent applications of Raman and IR spectroscopies as contrast enhancement agents, tools for studying the chemical nature of changes in bone tissue with age and disease and understanding the molecular nature of changes in bone tissue during mechanical loading and fracture.

Bone tissue ultrastructural response to elastic deformation probed by Raman spectroscopy.

Raman spectroscopy is used as a probe of ultrastructural (molecular) changes in both the mineral and matrix (protein and glycoprotein, predominantly type I collagen) components in real time of murine cortical bone as it responds to elastic deformation. Because bone is ia composite material, its mechanical properties are dependent on the structure and composition at a variety of dimensional scales. At the ultrastructural level, crystal structure and protein secondary structure distort as the tissue is loaded. These structural changes are followed as perturbations to tissue spectra. We load murine femora in a custom-made mechanical tester that fits on the stage of a Raman microprobe and can accept hydrated tissue specimens. As the specimen is loaded in tension, the shifts in mineral P-O4 v1 are followed with the microprobe. Average load and strain are measured using a load cell. These devices ensure that specimens are not loaded to or beyond the yield point. Changes occur in the mineral component of bone as a response to loading in the elastic regime. We propose that the mineral apatitic crystal lattice is deformed by movement of calcium and other ions. Raman microspectroscopy shows that bone mineral is not a passive contributor to tissue strength. The mineral active response to loading may function as a local energy storage and dissipation mechanism, thus helping to protect tissue from catastrophic damage.

Transcutaneous Raman spectroscopy of bone tissue using a non-confocal fiber optic array probe

We demonstrate the first transcutaneous Raman spectroscopic measurements of bone tissue employing a fiber optic probe with a uniformly illuminated array of collection fibers. Uniform illumination reduces local power density to avoid damage to specimens. Non-confocal operation provides efficient signal collection, and together with NIR laser excitation (785 nm diode laser) allows good depth penetration enabling recovery of spectra from beneath the skin. Multivariate data reduction is used to resolve Raman spectra of bone tissue from the spectra generated from overlying tissue. The probe utilizes non-confocal optics and uniform illumination allowing the system to collect spectra from above and below the range of best focus while applying a low power density. Despite extensive photon migration in the tissue specimens, the system can resolve transcutaneous signals because the collection cone of each fiber is asymmetric with respect to the center of illumination. Here we report preliminary results of tissue specimens taken from chicken tibia as well as from a human elbow.

Ultrastructural elastic deformation of cortical bone tissue probed by NIR Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is used as a probe of ultrastructural (molecular) changes in both the mineral and matrix (protein and glycoprotein, predominantly type I collagen) components of murine cortical bone as it responds to loading in the elastic regime. At the ultrastructural level, crystal structure and protein secondary structure distort as the tissue is loaded. These structural changes are followed as perturbations to tissue spectra. We load tissue in a custom-made dynamic mechanical tester that fits on the stage of a Raman microprobe and can accept hydrated tissue specimens. As the specimen is loaded in tension and/or compression, the shifts in mineral P-O4 v1 and relative band heights in the Amide III band envelope are followed with the microprobe. Average load is measured using a load cell while the tissue is loaded under displacement control. Changes occur in both the mineral and matrix components of bone as a response to elastic deformation. We propose that the mineral apatitic crystal lattice is deformed by movement of calcium and other ions. The matrix is proposed to respond by deformation of the collagen backbone. Raman microspectroscopy shows that bone mineral is not a passive contributor to tissue strength. The mineral active response to loading may function as a local energy storage and dissipation mechanism, thus helping to protect tissue from catastrophic damage.

Rapid raman spectroscopy of musculoskeletal tissue using a visible laser and an electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) detector

Background fluorescence can often complicate the use of Raman microspectroscopy in the study of musculoskeletal tissues. Such fluorescence interferences are undesirable as the Raman spectra of matrix and mineral phases can be used to differentiate between normal and pathological or microdamaged bone. Photobleaching with the excitation laser provides a non-invasive method for reducing background fluorescence, enabling 532 nm Raman hyperspectral imaging of bone tissue. The signal acquisition time for a 400 point Raman line image is reduced to 1-4 seconds using electronmultiplying CCD (EMCCD) detector, enabling acquisition of Raman images in less than 10 minutes. Rapid photobleaching depends upon multiple scattering effects in the tissue specimen and is applicable to some, but not all experimental situations.