Abstract
We have proposed a new optical probe that can be used to characterize the orientation of collagen fibers in dermis. A specific probing ability for collagen results from the use of second-harmonic-generation (SHG) light induced by collagen molecules in the tissue. Based on the concept of tissue SHG light, a reflection-type polarization measurement system (named SHG polarimetry) with a probe light spot of 10μm in diameter has been constructed, and human dermis has been measured using this system. Resultant data exhibits that the dermis possesses approximately uniaxial orientation of collagen fibers. Furthermore, we have extended the SHG polarimetry to two-dimensional measurement. By the two-dimensional SHG polarimetry, we have observed a tangled structure of collagen fibers, which is highly consistent with the result of anatomical examination of the skin. The proposed method will be a powerful diagnostic tool for monitoring the structural change of collagen fibers in dermis.
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