Splinter (Analytica Sciences Inc., North Carolina) and Hooper (Areté Associates, Virginia) introduces a range of theoretical and practical issues concerning the application of optical technology for biomedical therapeutic and diagnostic purposes to the "inquisitive novice" physics, biology, electrical engineering, or medical student. General biomedical optics theory is covered in chapters discussing fundamentals of optical principles; optical interaction properties; light-tissue interaction variables; light-tissue interaction theory; numerical and deterministic methods in light-tissue interaction theory; and photophysical, photochemical, and photobiological mechanisms and applications. Six chapters then discuss diagnostic applications in the photophysical, photochemical, and photobiological realms and therapeutic applications for the same. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)