Tumor detection using time-resolved light transillumination

We demonstrate a time-gated technique to reduce the effect of light scattering when transilluminating turbid media such as tissue. The concept is based on transillumination with picosecond laser pulses and time-resolved detection. By detecting only the photons with the shortest travelling time, and thus the least scattered photons, the contrast can be enhanced. Measurements on a tissue phantom as well as breast tissue in vitro are presented. It is demonstrated that the spatial resolution can be enhanced by using the time-gated technique. We also show that differences in scattering properties may be more pronounced than differences in absorption properties when demarcating tumor from normal tissue.