KEYWORDS: Skin, Scattering, Optical coherence tomography, Signal detection, In vivo imaging, Light scattering, Particles, Tissues, Mie scattering, Refractive index
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) provides more parameters than pure morphology does. In a recent paper we have shown that the refractive index (RI) can be evaluated in a localized manner in skin tissue under in vivo conditions. Further evaluation provides scattering parameters (scatter width) of turbid materials down to penetration depths of some 100 μm. Measurements have been done in vitro in pig skin and in vivo in human skin with our OCT scanner SkinDex 300. The parameters RI and scatter width may have a viable impact on skin research and clinical diagnoses. In addition, we demonstrate the breakdown of the ballistic light propagation in turbid material and tissue due to multiple forward scattering.
Besides morphological images created by optical coherence tomography (OCT), another inherent physical parameter is evaluated in skin tissue under in vivo conditions. Refractive indices may support tissue characterization for research and diagnostic purposes in cosmetics/pharmacy and medicine, respectively. To accomplish refractive index evaluation, the sample arm of our OCT setup has been arranged to minimize mechanical adjustment and yet accommodate a wide parameter range at the entire penetration depth of up to 1 mm. A simple algorithm for local mapping has been derived. Refractive index maps have been measured locally in skin of stratum corneum, epidermis and upper parts of the dermis. Dry and moist skin areas have been observed by refractive index evaluation.
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