SPECTRAL BIODIAGNOSTICS OF TISSUES WITH FIBER OPTICS

The synergy of novel MIR-fibers with FTIR-spectroscopy opens a new hor izon in applications of spectroscopy in 4 - 16 mu m range in vivo medi cal diagnostics. The innovated bare core and core-clad MIR-fibers are produced by hot extrusion method from the crystals of silver halides s olid solutions. These non-toxic and nonhygroscopic fibers are characte rized by low optical losses: 0.1 - 0.5 dB/m nearby 10 mu m, and high f lexibility: R(bending) > 10-100 fiber diameters. Some prototypes of ac cessories for FTIR-spectrometers, based on commercially available MIR- fibers for several areas of promising applications are developed. Non- invasive medical diagnostics in vivo: cancer detection and glucose con tent measurements in whole human blood is possible. The new family of evanescent fiber sensors is started for the direct in-process applicat ions. Fiberoptic Evanescent Wave FTIR Spectroscopy (FEWS) for cancer d iagnosis in human organs is exemplified in this paper,and their great potentiality is demonstrated.