English

A comprehensive overview of diffuse correlation spectroscopy: theoretical framework, recent advances in hardware, analysis, and applications

Instrumentation and Detectors 2024-06-25 v1 Medical Physics Optics

Abstract

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) is a powerful tool for assessing microvascular hemodynamic in deep tissues. Recent advances in sensors, lasers, and deep learning have further boosted the development of new DCS methods. However, newcomers might feel overwhelmed, not only by the already complex DCS theoretical framework but also by the broad range of component options and system architectures. To facilitate new entry into this exciting field, we present a comprehensive review of DCS hardware architectures (continuous-wave, frequency-domain, and time-domain) and summarize corresponding theoretical models. Further, we discuss new applications of highly integrated silicon single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) sensors in DCS, compare SPADs with existing sensors, and review other components (lasers, fibers, and correlators), as well as new data analysis tools, including deep learning. Potential applications in medical diagnosis are discussed, and an outlook for the future directions is provided, to offer effective guidance to embark on DCS research.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2406.15420,
  title  = {A comprehensive overview of diffuse correlation spectroscopy: theoretical framework, recent advances in hardware, analysis, and applications},
  author = {Quan Wang and Mingliang Pan and Lucas Kreiss and Saeed Samaei and Stefan A. Carp and Johannes D. Johansson and Yuanzhe Zhang and Melissa Wu and Roarke Horstmeyer and Mamadou Diop and David Day-Uei Li},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2406.15420},
  year   = {2024}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T17:15:12.979Z