Optical properties of biological tissues in the NIR spectral range have demonstrated significant potential for in vivo diagnostic applications and are critical parameters for modelling light interaction in biological tissues. This study aims to investigate the optical properties of articular cartilage as a function of tissue depth and integrity. The results suggest consistent wavelength-dependent variation in optical properties between cartilage depth-wise zones, as well as between healthy and degenerated tissue. Also, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in both optical properties were observed between the different cartilage depth-wise zones and as a result of tissue degeneration. When taken into account, the outcome of this study could enable accurate modelling of light interaction in cartilage matrix and could provide useful diagnostic information on cartilage integrity.

中文翻译：

---

近红外 (NIR) 光谱范围内的关节软骨光学特性随深度和组织完整性而变化

近红外光谱范围内生物组织的光学特性已证明在体内诊断应用方面具有巨大潜力，并且是模拟生物组织中光相互作用的关键参数。本研究旨在研究作为组织深度和完整性函数的关节软骨的光学特性。结果表明，软骨深度区域之间以及健康和退化组织之间的光学特性存在一致的波长依赖性变化。此外，在不同的软骨深度方向区域之间以及作为组织退化的结果，观察到两种光学特性的统计学显着差异（p<0.05）。考虑到时，