Toward noncontact macroscopic imaging of multiple cancers using multi-spectral inelastic scattering detection

Here we introduce a Raman spectroscopy approach combining multi-spectral imaging and a new fluorescence background subtraction technique to image individual Raman peaks in less than 5 seconds over a square field-of-view of 1-centimeter sides with 350 micrometers resolution. First, human data is presented supporting the feasibility of achieving cancer detection with high sensitivity and specificity – in brain, breast, lung, and ovarian/endometrium tissue – using no more than three biochemically interpretable biomarkers associated with the inelastic scattering signal from specific Raman peaks. Second, a proof-of-principle study in biological tissue is presented demonstrating the feasibility of detecting a single Raman band – here the CH₂/CH₃ deformation bands from proteins and lipids – using a conventional multi-spectral imaging system in combination with the new background removal method. This study paves the way for the development of a new Raman imaging technique that is rapid, label-free, and wide field.