Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for combined imaging and analyzing of a biological structure by means of ultrasonic and spectroscopic techniques. The inventive diagnostic apparatus is adapted for simultaneous acquisition of ultrasonic echo signals and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic signals. The invention makes particular use of a contrast agent that on the one hand provides enhanced reflection efficiency for ultrasonic echo signals and on the other hand enables surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The contrast agent comprises conventional microbubbles as well as solid metal nano-particles or combinations thereof. The invention therefore effectively provides non-invasive in vivo analysis of blood as well as detection and visualization of a blood flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system and in particular a fiber optic probe for in vivo detection of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque inside the cardiovascular system of a patient. Detection of vulnerable plaque is based on a location dependent measurement of concentration levels of cardiac marker molecules flowing in the blood stream. Concentration level determination is preferably based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic techniques providing sufficient sensitivity for determination of these concentration levels. Acquisition of spectroscopic data during moving of the fiber optic probe through the cardiovascular system with controlled velocity allows to precisely locate vulnerable plaque in the cardiovascular system.