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Pulsed photothermal radiometry can be used for non-invasive depth profiling of optically scattering samples, including biological tissues such as human skin. Computational reconstruction of the laser-induced temperature profile from recorded radiometric signals is sensitive to the value of the tissue absorption coefficient in the infrared detection band (muIR). While assumed constant in reported reconstruction algorithms, muIR of human skin varies by two orders of magnitude in the commonly used 3-5 microm detection band. We analyse the problem of selecting the effective absorption coefficient value to be used with such algorithms. In a numerical simulation of photothermal profiling we demonstrate that results can be markedly impaired, unless the reconstruction algorithm is augmented by accounting for spectral variation muIR(lambda). Alternatively, narrowing the detection band to 4.5-5 microm reduces the spectral variation muIR(lambda) to a level that permits the use of the simpler, unaugmented algorithm. Implementation of the latter approach for depth profiling of port wine stain birthmarks in vivo is presented and discussed.

Pulsed photothermal radiometry can be used for non-invasive depth profiling of optically scattering samples, including biological tissues such as human skin. Computational reconstruction of the laser-induced temperature profile from recorded radiometric signals is sensitive to the value of the tissue absorption coefficient in the infrared detection band (muIR). While assumed constant in reported reconstruction algorithms, muIR of human skin varies by two orders of magnitude in the commonly used 3-5 microm detection band. We analyse the problem of selecting the effective absorption coefficient value to be used with such algorithms. In a numerical simulation of photothermal profiling we demonstrate that results can be markedly impaired, unless the reconstruction algorithm is augmented by accounting for spectral variation muIR(lambda). Alternatively, narrowing the detection band to 4.5-5 microm reduces the spectral variation muIR(lambda) to a level that permits the use of the simpler, unaugmented algorithm. Implementation of the latter approach for depth profiling of port wine stain birthmarks in vivo is presented and discussed.

UnlabelledBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To examine the biophysical effects of photothermal heating on herniated intervertebral discs during laser decompression surgery.Study design/materials and methodsEx vivo bovine nucleus pulposus specimens were irradiated with a Nd: YAG laser (lambda = 1.32 microm, 100 seconds exposure time, 9-31 W/cm(2), 4.8 mm spot diameter), whereas changes in tissue thermal, mechanical, and optical properties were monitored by using, respectively, infrared radiometry, tissue tension measurements, and diffuse reflectance from a HeNe probe laser. Morphologic changes and mass reduction were monitored by recording shape changes on video and weighing specimens before and after laser exposure.ResultsAt power densities below 20 W/cm(2), evaporation of water and specimen volume reduction (shrinking) were consistently observed on video during irradiation. In contrast, above 20 W/cm(2), vapor bubbles formed within the specimen matrix and subsequently ruptured (releasing heated vapors). When radiometric surface temperature approaches approximately 60 to 70 degrees C (denaturation threshold for tissue), tissue tension begins to increase, which is consistent with observations of specimen length reduction. The onset of this change in tissue tension is also reflected in characteristic alterations in diffuse reflectance. With cessation of laser irradiation, a sustained increase in tissue tension is observed, which is consistent with changes in specimen length and volume. Higher laser power results in a faster heating rate and subsequently an accelerated tension change. Specimen mass reduction increased with irradiance from 19 to 72% of the initial mass for 9--31 W/cm(2), respectively. Irradiated specimens did not return to their original shape after immersion in saline (48 hours) in contrast to air-dried specimens (24 hours), which returned to their original shape and size.ConclusionThese observations suggest that photothermal heating results in irreversible matrix alteration causing shape change and volume reduction (observed on video and evidenced by the increase in tissue tension) taking place at approximately 65 degrees C. Inasmuch as high laser power results in vapor bubble formation and specimen tearing, the heating process must be controlled. Diffuse reflectance measurements provide a noncontact, highly sensitive means to monitor dynamically changes in tension of nucleus purposus.

When pulsed photothermal radiometry (PPTR) is used for depth profiling of hypervascular lesions in human skin, melanin absorption also heats the most superficial skin layer (epidermis). Determination of lesion depth may be difficult when it lies close to the epidermal dermal junction, due to PPTR's limited spatial resolution. To overcome this problem, we have developed an approximation technique, which uses two excitation wavelengths (585 and 600 nm) to separate the vascular and epidermal components of the PPTR signal. This technique permits a noninvasive determination of lesion depth and epidermal thickness in vivo, even when the two layers are in close physical proximity to each other. Such information provides the physician with guidance in selecting the optimal parameters for laser therapy on an individual patient basis.

Infrared emission images of the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) microvasculature following pulsed laser irradiation were recorded using a high speed infrared focal plane array camera. A three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction algorithm was applied to compute the initial space-dependent temperature increase in discrete CAM blood vessels caused by light absorption. The proposed method may provide consistent estimates of the physical dimensions of subsurface blood vessels and may be useful in understanding a variety of biomedical engineering problems involving laser-tissue interaction. © 1998 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Pulsed photothermal radiometry (PPTR) is a non-contact method for determining the temperature increase in subsurface chromophore layers immediately following pulsed laser irradiation. In this paper the inherent limitations of PPTR are identified. A time record of infrared emission from a test material due to laser heating of a subsurface chromophore layer is calculated and used as input data for a non-negatively constrained conjugate gradient algorithm. Position and magnitude of temperature increase in a model chromophore layer immediately following pulsed laser irradiation are computed. Differences between simulated and computed temperature increase are reported as a function of thickness, depth and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The average depth of the chromophore layer and integral of temperature increase in the test material are accurately predicted by the algorithm. When the thickness/depth ratio is less than 25%, the computed peak temperature increase is always significantly less than the true value. Moreover, the computed thickness of the chromophore layer is much larger than the true value. The accuracy of the computed subsurface temperature distribution is investigated with the singular value decomposition of the kernel matrix. The relatively small number of right singular vectors that may be used (8% of the rank of the kernel matrix) to represent the simulated temperature increase in the test material limits the accuracy of PPTR. We show that relative error between simulated and computed temperature increase is essentially constant for a particular thickness/depth ratio.

The treatment of port wine stains (PWSs) using a flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser is often performed using virtually identical irradiation parameters. Although encouraging clinical results have been reported, we propose that lasers will only reach their full potential provided treatment parameters match individual PWS anatomy and physiology. The purpose of this paper is to review the progress made on the technical development and clinical implementation of (i) infrared tomography (IRT), optical reflectance spectroscopy (ORS) and optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) to obtain in vivo diagnostic data on individual PWS anatomy and physiology and (ii) models of light and heat propagation, predicting irreversible vascular injury in human skin, to select optimal laser wavelength, pulse duration, spot size and radiant exposure for complete PWS blanching in the fewest possible treatment sessions. Although non-invasive optical sensing techniques may provide significant diagnostic data, development of a realistic model will require a better understanding of relevant mechanisms for irreversible vascular injury.

Successful laser treatment of haemangiomas requires selective photocoagulation of subsurface targeted blood vessels without thermal damage to the overlying epidermis. We present an in vivo experimental procedure, using a chicken comb animal model, and an infrared feedback system to deliver repetitive cryogen spurts (of the order of milliseconds) during continuous Nd:YAG laser irradiation. Gross and histologic observations show deep-tissue photocoagulation is achieved, while superficial structures are protected from thermal injury due to cryogen spray cooling. Experimental observation of epidermis protection in chicken comb animal models suggests selective photocoagulation of subsurface targeted blood vessels for successful treatment of haemangiomas can be achieved by repetitive applications of a cryogen spurt during continuous Nd:YAG laser irradiation.

Successful laser treatment of selected dermatoses such as hemangiomas requires thermally induced damage to blood vessels while protecting the epidermis. We present and test a procedure in a rabbit liver tissue model that utilizes cryogen spray cooling during continuous Nd:YAG laser irradiation to induce deep photocoagulation necrosis while protecting superficial tissues from thermal injury. Gross and histologic observations are consistent with calculated thicknesses of protected and photocoagulated tissues and demonstrate the feasibility of inducing spatially selective photocoagulation when cryogen spray cooling is used in conjunction with laser irradiation. This procedure may be useful in the thermal treatment of some pathological conditions for which it is desired that deep photocoagulation be induced while protecting superficial tissues.

We describe a non-contact method using infrared radiometry to determine lateral physical dimensions of laser heated subsurface chromophores in biological materials. An imaging equation is derived that relates measured radiometric temperature change to the reduced two-dimensional temperature increase of laser heated chromophores. From measured images of radiometric temperature change, the lateral physical dimensions of chromophores positioned in an in vitro model of human skin are determined by deconvolution of the derived imaging equation using a non-negative constrained conjugate gradient algorithm. Conditions for optimum spatial resolution are found by analysis of a derived radiometric transfer function and correspond to superficial chromophores and/or weak infrared absorption in a laser irradiated biological material. Analysis indicates that if the infrared attenuation coefficient is sufficiently small (i.e., less than 10mm-1), infrared radiometry in combination with a deconvolution algorithm allows estimation of lateral physical dimensions of laser heated subsurface chromophores in human skin.

The clinical objective in laser treatment of port-wine stains (PWS) is to induce selective photothermolysis of subsurface blood vessels without damaging the overlying epidermis. This paper investigates the effectiveness of 'dynamic' cooling, where a cryogen is sprayed on the skin surface for an appropriately short period of time, to eliminate epidermal thermal injury during laser treatment of PWS. Comparative measurements of radiometric surface temperature from cooled and uncooled laser irradiated (585 nm) PWS sites, and theoretical predictions of temperature distributions within skin in response to dynamic cooling in conjunction with laser irradiation are presented. Rapid reduction of skin surface temperature and localization of cooling the epidermis are obtained when a cryogen is sprayed on skin prior to laser irradiation. Successful blanching of the PWS without thermal injury to the overlying epidermis is accomplished. © 1995 W.B. Saunders Company Ltd.