Wide-field Mueller matrix polarimetry for spectral characterization of basic biological tissues: Muscle, fat, connective tissue, and skin

This study investigates the polarimetric properties of skin, skeletal muscle, connective tissue, and fat using Mueller matrix imaging. It aims to compare the polarimetric characteristics of these tissues and explore how they evolve with wavelength. Additionally, the temporal evolution of certain tissues during meat aging is studied, providing insights into the dynamic behavior of polarimetric properties over time. The research employs back-scattering configuration and the differential decomposition analysis method of Mueller matrix images. Both in-vivo and ex-vivo experiments were conducted using a consistent instrument setup to ensure reliable analysis. The results reveal wavelength-dependent variations in tissue properties, including an increase in depolarization with wavelength. Significant differences in the polarimetric characteristics of meat tissues, particularly for skeletal muscle, are observed. Over a 24-h period, intensity, diattenuation, and retardation experience alterations, being the decreased retardation in skeletal muscle and the increased retardation in fat the most notable ones. Through Mueller matrix imaging, this study investigates skin, muscle, connective tissue, and fat's polarimetric properties. It compares their characteristics and how they change with wavelength, including during meat aging. In-vivo and ex-vivo experiments reveal wavelength-driven tissue property variations, notably significant in depolarization effects. Differences in polarimetric traits exist, with skeletal muscle's reduced retardation and fat's increased retardation over 24 h being significant findings.image