Imaging and characterization of tissue based upon the preservation of polarized light transmitted therethrough

摘要

A method and apparatus for imaging and/or characterizing a tissue based upon the extent to which initially polarized light maintains its polarization after propagating through the tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for identifying a tissue in question, the method comprising the steps of: (a) illuminating the tissue with a pulse of light, the pulse of light being polarized and having an initial state of polarization, whereby light consisting of a ballistic component, a snake-like component and a diffuse component emerges from the illuminated tissue; (b) passing the emergent light from the illuminated tissue through one of a polarizer oriented parallel to the initial state of polarization of the pulse of light and an analyzer oriented perpendicular to the initial state of polarization of the pulse of light; (c) detecting the light passed through one of the polarizer and the analyzer; and (d) comparing the detected light to appropriate standards so as to identify the type of tissue tested, i.e., breast and brain for optical mammography and tomography.