Quantitative analysis of mucosal tissues in patients using light scattering spectroscopy

We presented two approaches for separating a diffusive component of the backscattered signal originated in deep tissue layers and a non-diffusive single backscattering component which backscattered from a thin epithelial layer. Both approaches can be effective and have their advantages and disadvantages. The modeling technique can provide important information about hemoglobin concentration, oxygenation, and average scattering properties of the mucosal tissue. On the other hand, when applied to new tissues, it has to be adjusted to take into account tissue morphology. Also, the polarization technique can be very robust and more effective in background removal. However, it lacks extracting capabilities of the modeling technique. Both techniques can be quite valuable and compliment each other in a future clinical device.