The researcher wants to explore the genetic causes of muscle disease. The researcher is particularly interested in muscle disorders that occur in combination with diseases of bone that appear to be passed on from generation to generation.
Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy will measure the concentrations of blood, water, and lipids (fats, for example) in your tissues. This device essentially measures the color of tissues in order to determine tissue physiology (its physical and chemical processes).
Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy, the technique is fast and painless and was developed at the University of California, Irvine. The Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy instrument is actively involved in research studies, but is not yet a part of routine clinical practice. The result of this study will aid similar research projects that seek to improve our understanding of how tissues work and how alterations in metabolism affect long-term health.
TheDiffuse Optical Spectroscopy measurement consists of placing a probe onto the surface of your body (calf, bicep, or head). This probe will be secured by either gentle hand pressure or fastened to your skin using clinically-approved wraps such as Coban/wrap bandages or medical adhesive tape and medical glues. Several dots will be made on your skin outlining the probe with a surgical felt tip marker. This is so we would be able to put the probe again on the same spot in case we needed to interrupt the measurement. The probe looks like a bar code scanner in a supermarket and it shines infrared light on your skin. There is no radiation involved with this light. In some cases where light signals are low, the optical detector will be placed directly onto your skin (but contained within an electronically shielded casing, and placed inside another plastic casing). (not offered during pregnancy).