Demystifying optical diagnostics

This paper describes a few optical imaging methods in their translational stage to the clinical phase. The methods are compared to well-established X-ray imaging methods such as computed tomography and mammography. The drawback of the diffuse paths of laser photons compared to the ballistic paths of the X-ray is compensated by coherence methods for tissue characterization adjacent to the surface, and acoustic wave enhanced imaging and fluorescent markers that follow functional changes when deeper tissue is analyzed. This paper presents some of the latest developments in this field as presented in a Bench to Bedside workshop on optical imaging held at the National Institutes of Health.