Review: Recent advances in contrast-enhanced near infrared diffuse optical imaging of diseases using indocyanine green

ISSN: 0967-0335 © IM Publications LLP 2012 doi: 10.1255/jnirs.964 All rights reserved Near infrared (NIR) optical imaging of tissue is a rapidly developing technique with high potential for the detection and characterisation of several diseases in vivo. In this spectral, region tissue absorption is mainly determined by the contributions of oxyand deoxyhaemoglobin, water and lipids. Since the tissue absorption of light is much lower than in the visible region, the NIR spectral range permits the investigation of superficial tissue as well as deeper tissue compartments. Generally, light propagation through tissue in the NIR spectral range is characterised by high scattering of photons resulting in a diffusive process of light propagation. In the past, several experimental and theoretical methods have been developed Review Recent advances in contrast-enhanced near infrared diffuse optical imaging of diseases using indocyanine green