Temperature induced changes in the optical properties of skin in vivo.

Knowledge of temperature-induced changes of skin optical properties is required for accurate dosimetry of photothermal treatments. We determined and compared in vivo optical properties of mouse ear skin at different temperatures. The diffuse reflectance, total and diffuse transmittance were measured in the spectral range from 400 to 1650 nm using an integrating sphere spectrometer at the temperatures of 25 °C, 36 °C and 60 °C.

High-contrast mapping of basal cell carcinomas.

Because of low optical contrast in the visible spectral range, accurate detection of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) remains a challenging problem. In this letter, we experimentally demonstrate that reflectance confocal imaging in the vicinity of 1300 nm can be used for the detection of BCC without exogenous contrast agents. We present high-contrast reflectance confocal images of thick fresh skin tissues with clearly delineated cancer and discuss possible reasons for causing decreased scattering of BCC.

Low-level light stimulates excisional wound healing in mice.

Background: Low levels of laser or non-coherent light, termed low-level light therapy (LLLT) have been reported to accelerate some phases of wound healing, but its clinical use remains controversial.

Methods: A full thickness dorsal excisional wound in mice was treated with a single exposure to light of various wavelengths and fluences 30 minutes after wounding. Wound areas were measured until complete healing and immunofluorescence staining of tissue samples was carried out.

Multimodal confocal microscopy for diagnosing nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Background And Significance: The standard diagnostic procedure for skin cancers is invasive biopsy followed by histopathological evaluation. The biopsy may result in scarring and infection. A reliable way to noninvasively image suspicious lesions with high resolution and contrast would be valuable.

Fluorescence polarization of tetracycline derivatives as a technique for mapping nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer, often resulting in high morbidity. Low visual contrast of these tumors makes their delineation a challenging problem. Employing a linearly polarized monochromatic light source and a wide-field CCD camera, we have developed a technique for fluorescence polarization imaging of the nonmelanoma cancers stained using antibiotics from the tetracycline family.

Optical properties of normal and cancerous human skin in the visible and near-infrared spectral range.

Differences in absorption and/or scattering of cancerous and normal skin have the potential to provide a basis for noninvasive cancer detection. In this study, we have determined and compared the in vitro optical properties of human epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat with those of nonmelanoma skin cancers in the spectral range from 370 to 1600 nm. Fresh specimens of normal and cancerous human skin were obtained from surgeries.