Emerging optical spectroscopy techniques for biomedical applications—A brief review of recent progress

Optical measurement methods are widely employed in both industrial and medical fields for two reasons: (1) Business Monitor International (2015) Worldwide medical devices market forecasts. Business Monitor International: London, UK. [Google Scholar] they are non-invasive and (2) Chin, C. D., Linder, V., and Sia, S. K. (2012) Commercialization of microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic devices. Lab. Chip 12: 2118–2134.[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] they have a high resolution. Among the various optical methods currently available, those based on spectroscopy are actively employed to monitor multiple factors using spectral information. In this review article, three categories of optical spectroscopic methods for biomedical diagnosis are discussed: (1) Business Monitor International (2015) Worldwide medical devices market forecasts. Business Monitor International: London, UK. [Google Scholar] in vitro preclinical diagnosis using optical spectroscopy, (2) Chin, C. D., Linder, V., and Sia, S. K. (2012) Commercialization of microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic devices. Lab. Chip 12: 2118–2134.[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] non-invasive early-stage diagnosis based on optical spectroscopy at the surface of the skin and (3) Boppart, S. A., and Richards-Kortum, R. (2014) Point-of-care and point-of-procedure optical imaging technologies for primary care and global health. Sci. Transl. Med. 6: 253rv2.[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] minimally-invasive diagnosis using spectroscopy-integrated endoscopies. We also highlight the advances in nanomaterials, molecular probes, and photonic system constructions that have led to improvements in the sensitivity, diagnostic speed, and capability to analyze multiple medical parameters. Additionally, we briefly discuss the future prospects of these spectroscopic applications and the combination of optical techniques with information technology.