Quantitative spatial mapping of tissue water and lipid content using spatial frequency domain imaging in the 900- to 1000-nm wavelength region

SIGNIFICANCE: Water and lipid are key participants of many biological processes, but there are few label-free, non-contact optical methods that can spatially map these components in-vivo. Shortwave infrared meso-patterned imaging (SWIR-MPI) is an emerging technique that successfully addresses this need. However, it requires a dedicated SWIR camera to probe the 900- to 1300-nm wavelength region, which hinders practical translation of the technology. AIM: Compared with SWIR-MPI, we aim to develop a new technique that can dramatically reduce the cost in detector while maintaining high accuracy for the quantification of tissue water and lipid content. APPROACH: By utilizing water and lipid absorption features in the 900- to 1000-nm wavelength region as well as optimal wavelength and spatial frequency combinations, we develop a new imaging technique based on spatial frequency domain imaging to quantitatively map tissue water and lipid content using a regular silicon-based camera. RESULTS: The proposed method is validated with a phantom study, which shows average error of [Formula: see text] for water content estimation, and [Formula: see text] for lipid content estimation, respectively. The proposed method is also demonstrated for ex vivo porcine tissue lipid mapping as well as in-vivo longitudinal water content monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed technique enables spatial mapping of tissue water and lipid content with the cost in detector reduced by two orders of magnitude compared with SWIR-MPI while maintaining high accuracy. The experimental results highlight the potential of this technique for substantial impact in both scientific and industrial applications.