Clinical utility of Raman spectroscopy: current applications and ongoing developments

Abstract

Availability of fast, noninvasive/minimally invasive, and accurate diagnostic tests can maximize the benefit of patient care. The application of Raman spectroscopy (RS) in biological and biomedical applications has surged recently as a result of technological advancements in instrumentation and spectral data handling techniques. With maturation, the potential of RS in clinical diagnosis of various diseases, in particular, early cancer, has been widely explored and reported. This paper provides an introduction to the Raman theory and technology behind RS for nonspecialists interested in its clinical uses. Latest achievements in oncological, cardiovascular, and neurological applications of RS along with its clinical implementations are discussed.