Non-invasive medical diagnoses using Raman spectroscopy

Near infrared Raman spectroscopy has the potential to perform real-time diagnosis of tissue in situ. The author reviews the basis of Raman spectroscopy, and the molecular level information it provides. State-of-the-art Raman spectrometer systems are described. The multivariate analysis techniques required for extracting diagnostic information from the spectra are reviewed. Results from breast cancer studies, coronary artery disease studies, and blood analyte measurements are presented. The issues involved in implementing Raman spectroscopy in clinical applications, and some long-term directions for future study, are considered