New photonic technologies for the treatment and diagnosis of hepatic diseases: an overview of the experimental work performed in collaboration, between Physics Institute of São Carlos and Ribeirão Preto Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo.

Recent advances in optical techniques have created a great range of possibilities for diagnosis and therapeutics in liver related diseases. With the uses of efficient light sources like lasers and LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) it is possible to employ the light-tissue interaction to promote hepatic tissue regeneration after partial hepatectomy, to detect hepatocarcinoma and steatosis by utilizing optical fluorescence, to evaluate the metabolism of the liver during hepatic transplantation as well as to treat liver tumors. We present here an overview of the technique presently in development at the Ribeirâo Preto Faculty of Medicine-USP in cooperation with the Physics Institute of São Carlos-USP. The results obtained so far have been the subject of a list of publications and are here presented as an overview. A new perspective for modern application of optical techniques in different medical practices related to the liver is presented.