QUANTITATIVE FLUORESCENT IMAGING OF SPECIFIC MARKERS OF DISEASED TISSUE

We have developed a random walk theory to relate observable fluorescen t intensities on tissue surfaces to the presence of several embedded f luorescent masses. This work is an extension of analysis previously ca rried out for an isolated fluorescent site, Results depend on the opti cal properties of tissue at the excitation and emission wavelengths, a s well as on the location of fluorescent targets and positions of sour ce and detector. Measurements on tissue-like phantoms were performed t o test the theory, Analysis of fluorescent signals, performed in accor dance with the theory, yields accurate information about the location of the targets. Prospects of a noninvasive quantitative fluorescent im aging system, to diagnose and monitor salivary glands disease, is pres ented.