Abstract: The invention is related to the instrument for measuring a Raman signal of tissue, the instrument comprising a laser, a signal detection unit for measuring the Raman signal, and a fiber optic probe, wherein the fiber optic probe comprises one or more optical fibers for directing laser light onto the tissue and for collecting light that is scattered by the tissue and guiding the collected light away from the tissue towards the signal detection unit, wherein the fiber or fibers for collecting light have substantially no Raman signal in one or more parts of the 2500-3700 cm?1 spectral region, and wherein the detection unit records the Raman signal scattered by the tissue in said spectral region. The invention enables ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo analysis and diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaque and detection of tumor tissue with great advantages over current state-of-the-art technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analysis apparatus, in particular a spectroscopic analysis apparatus, for blood analysis on vessels. An excitation system (exs) emits an excitation beam to excite a target region. A detection system (dsy) is provided for detecting and analyzing scattered radiation from the target region. Those areas are selected or predetermined so that only scattered radiation from blood in capillaries having a diameter below a predetermined diameter value and/or including an amount of red blood cells below a predetermined cell amount is analyzed. Thus, in contrast to analysis on whole blood or large amounts of blood cells less reabsorption and scattering of Raman light due to red blood cells is obtained. Further, the possibility to directly measure in the blood plasma without interference of the red blood cells, thereby yielding a higher signal-to-noise ratio, is given.