System and method for noninvasive analysis of subcutaneous tissue

A system for noninvasive analysis of tissue, the system comprising:

• at least one source of infrared radiation to irradiate the tissue, the infrared radiation including SWIR radiation in a first spectral band that is strongly absorbed by water, and including radiation in a second spectral band such that an interaction of the radiation in both spectral bands with a component of the tissue other than water is substantially identical;
• at least one radiation detector to measure an intensity of radiation in each of the two spectral bands that emerges from the tissue;
• and
• a processor that is configured to calculate a relative absorption by the tissue of radiation in one of spectral bands relative to absorption by the tissue of radiation in the other of the spectral bands and determine a state of a deep tissue injury in accordance with the calculated relative absorption,
• wherein the interaction of the radiation comprises at least one of absorption and scattering.

A method for determining a state of tissue, the method comprising:

• irradiating, with at least one source of infrared radiation, a surface of the tissue with SWIR radiation in a first spectral band in the wavelength range 1300 nm to 1430 nm, and with SWIR radiation in a second spectral band such that an interaction of the radiation in both spectral bands with a component of the tissue other than water is substantially identical;
• measuring, with at least one radiation detector, an intensity of the radiation that emerges from the tissue in each of the spectral bands;
• and
• calculating an absorption by the tissue of radiation in the two spectral bands, the absorption being indicative of the state of a deep tissue injury,
• wherein the interaction of the radiation comprises at least one of absorption and scattering.