Abstract

The better understanding of photon migration dynamics coupled with improved electronics, particularly frequency domain technologies has brought new possibilities for not only more precise oxygenation measurements, but most important localization of responeses either of functional activity or pathological heterogeneities introduced, for example, by functional activity for aberrant metabolic characteristics of tumors with blood volume increases, stroke, hematomas, aneurysms, etc. Furthermore, outreach to populations of neonates, pre-term and full-term are now in hand, particularly for functional imaging of parietal and occipital regions. Eventual studies of internal organs of the body, particularly the fetus inutero in normal and abnormal states will be milestones of future progress towards a goal where optical tomography can image with reasonable resolution most of the larger organs of the body and eventually the smaller ones. While NMR has similar possibilities, the safety, affordability and patient friendliness make this a preferred technology.

© 1998 Optical Society of America