Abstract: A method of evaluating the surface of a material that has a distinguishable infrared spectrum comprising (a) positioning an infrared fiber optic probe to be in contact with a surface of the sample or material at a region of interest for detecting attenuated total reflectance or within a sufficient distance from the surface of the region for detecting reflection, (b) detecting mid- or near-infrared radiation attenuated total reflectance or reflection off of the surface of the sample or the material, (c) analyzing the infrared radiation from step (b) for at least one of peak height, peak area, frequency and chemometric parameters, and (d) actuating the removal device when a signal from the infrared fiber optic probe is between pre-selected values for at least one of peak height, peak area, frequency and chemometric parameters for the sample of the material.

Abstract: A method for the evaluation of the ultrastructure of connective tissue, such as cartilage, including (a) providing a probe operative in the near-infrared or mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, (b) positioning the probe either to be in contact with 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 infrared radiation which penetrates the surface of the connective tissue for detecting attenuated total reflectance or which reflects off the surface of the connective tissue and (d) analyzing the 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 for established values for at least one of peak height, peak area and frequency for normal connective tissue to detect a modification in the molecular structure of the connective tissue.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the surface of a material that has a distinguishable infrared spectrum comprising (a) positioning an infrared fiber optic probe to be in contact with a surface of the sample or material at a region of interest for detecting attenuated total reflectance or within a sufficient distance from the surface of the region for detecting reflection, (b) detecting mid- or near-infrared radiation attenuated total reflectance or reflection off of the surface of the sample or the material, (c) analyzing the infrared radiation from step (b) for at least one of peak height, peak area, frequency and chemometric parameters, and (d) actuating the removal device when a signal from the infrared fiber optic probe is between pre-selected values for at least one of peak height, peak area, frequency and chemometric parameters for the sample of the material.

Abstract: A method for the evaluation of the ultrastructure of connective tissue, such as cartilage, including (a) providing a probe operative in the near-infrared or mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, (b) positioning the probe either to be in contact with 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 infrared radiation which penetrates the surface of the connective tissue for detecting attenuated total reflectance or which reflects off the surface of the connective tissue and (d) analyzing the 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 for established values for at least one of peak height, peak area and frequency for normal connective tissue to detect a modification in the molecular structure of the connective tissue.