Perspective: Wavefront shaping techniques for controlling multiple light scattering in biological tissues: Toward in vivo applications

Abstract

Multiple light scattering has been regarded as a barrier in imaging through complex media such as biological tissues. Owing to recent advances in wavefront shaping techniques, optical imaging through intact biological tissues without invasive procedures can now be used for direct experimental studies, presenting promising application opportunities in in vivo imaging and diagnosis. Although most of the recent proof of principle breakthroughs have been achieved in the laboratory setting with specialties in physics and engineering, we anticipate that these technologies can be translated to biological laboratories and clinical settings, which will revolutionize how we diagnose and treat a disease. To provide insight into the physical principle that enables the control of multiple light scattering in biological tissues and how recently developed techniques can improve bioimaging through thick tissues, we summarize recent progress on wavefront shaping techniques for controlling multiple light scattering in biological tissues.