Patent ID: 6934576

Claim:
A method for the evaluation of the ultrastructure of connective tissue comprising: (a) providing a fiber optic probe operative in the mid-infrared or near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, (b) positioning the probe to be in contact with the surface of the connective tissue for detecting attenuated total reflectance or within a sufficient distance from the surface of the connective tissue for detecting reflection, (c) detecting mid-infrared radiation or near-infrared radiation penetrating the surface of the connective tissue for detecting attenuated total reflectance or reflecting off of the surface of the connective tissue for detecting reflection, and (d) analyzing said infrared radiation from step (c) for at least one of peak height, peak area and frequency and comparing at least one of the peak height, the peak area and the frequency to established values for at least one of peak height, peak area and frequency for normal connective tissues to detect a modification in the molecular structure of the connective tissue, and determining the progression of degradation or repair of the connective tissue, said connective tissue being selected from the group consisting of cartilage, ligament, tendon, capsule and bone.