Molecular Imaging: Optical Imaging

Optical imaging is a method in which light from any infrared source or a laser beam is deflected the moment it reaches soft tissue. The image formed from this deflection and reflection is known as optical imaging. Optical imaging is also called molecular imaging. The main use of optical imaging is in neuroscience, when doctors can see the reflection of any neural activity going on in the brain.

The source of this neural activity as well as the time taken for it to complete that activity can also be judged and analysed through a type of optical imaging which is known as diffusive imaging. In diffusive imaging, a light source in the form of a laser, which is nearly infrared, is placed near to the scalp of the patient. Optical fibre detectors, which are necessary to find out any deflection in the light path, are also placed near the laser. The moment the light goes through the brain tissue, it is going to be absorbed, or it is going to be scattered. Every single absorption and diffusive action is going to be monitored by the bundles of optical fibres.

The information, which is gained by this sort of experiment, can show two things. The amount of light that is absorbed is going to show the chemical concentration in the brain cells. The moment there is a scattering of light, it means that there is swelling in the neurons. The optical fibre bundles also measure this physiological characteristic. The sort of test is very useful to check out haemorrhage in the brain or cancer in the breast.