How ODIS Works

Optical Diffusion Imaging and Spectroscopy (ODIS) is a patent-protected, non-invasive method of characterizing tissue based on measurement of photon scattering and absorption.

In biological tissue, near infrared light is highly scattered and minimally absorbed. Optical diffusion imaging is achieved by sending optical signals (continuous wave, pulse, or intensity modulated wave) into tissue and measuring the corresponding diffuse reflectance or transmittance on the tissue surface.

Scattering is caused by the heterogeneous structure of a tissue and therefore is an indicator of the cell density and nuclear size. Absorption is caused by interaction with chromophores which are “light absorbing units of tissue”. Each tissue type has unique absorption wavelengths (signatures). Thus the optical measurement characterizes both the density of a tissue and its unique “optical signature”.

ODIS works by emitting near-infrared (NIR) light into tissue. The position of the light source and detector determines the depth of measurement. ODISsey uses the ratio of oxyhemoglobin (HgbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hgb) for noninvasive real-time measurement of O2.