A Comprehensive Review on the Spectroradiometer Applications in Medical Diagnostics and Biomedical Research

Spectroradiometers are optical instruments that measure wavelength-resolved electromagnetic radiation and have transitioned from atmospheric and material analysis to critical roles in medical diagnostics and biomedical research with advances in photonics and computation. This review summarizes their operating principles, instrumentation, and clinical applications, focusing on non-invasive diagnostics, therapeutic monitoring, and research applications such as hyperspectral imaging, tissue optics, and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted analysis. A systematic review of approximately 210 peer-reviewed studies published between 2005 and 2025 was conducted following structured database searches and predefined inclusion criteria. The review spans oncology, dermatology, ophthalmology, and emerging biomedical domains emphasizing instrument design, detection strategies, multimodal implementations, and clinical validation. Spectroradiometers enable quantitative, real-time tissue assessment through reflectance, transmittance, and fluorescence measurements, supporting applications including cancer detection, intraoperative margin mapping, phototherapy dosimetry, and wearable physiological monitoring. AI integration enhances diagnostic accuracy and biomarker discovery, with clinical studies demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity, despite challenges related to cost, complexity, calibration, and tissue penetration. Continued miniaturization, multimodal integration, and standardized protocols are expected to accelerate clinical adoption in precision and personalized medicine.