Understanding the Sources of Variability During In Vivo Raman Spectroscopy Measurement of Healthy Human Skin

Abstract

Raman Spectroscopy is a non-invasive optical detection technique that has been used to study the structural and biochemical components of disease progression. Practical considerations limiting the clinical application of this technique are investigated and presented in this thesis. The ultimate goals of using in vivo Raman spectroscopy for the skin are to non-invasively and accurately monitor tissue changes and differentiate disease classes. A thorough understanding of normal skin and its Raman spectra are needed to accurately differentiate disease classes. As part of this thesis work, four independent Raman spectroscopy systems were assembled and utilized for in vivo measurements of healthy human skin. Variability sources from multiple Raman spectroscopy systems, anatomical locations, and patients were evaluated to assess measurement comparability. Studies of variability sources are important steps prior to optical measurement comparison and the results presented here have broad implications for Raman spectroscopy and other optical detection techniques.