Fractal Dimension Characterization of in-vivo Laser Doppler Flowmetry signals

Abstract

Laser Doppler Blood Flow meter uses tissue backscattered light to non-invasively assess the blood flow rate. qualitatively. As there is large spatial variability and the temporal heterogeneity in tissue microvasculature, the measured blood flow rate is expressed in relative units. A non-linear approach in order to understand the dynamics of the microcirculation led to the fractal characterization of the blood flow signals. The study presented in the paper aims to analyze the fractal behavior of Laser Doppler Flow (LDF) signals and to quantitatively estimate the fractal dimension of waveforms using Box-Counting method. The measured Fractal dimension is an estimate of temporal variability of tissue perfusion. The rate at which fractal dimension varies as a function of location between individuals, exhibits a weak correlation with time. Further studies with a larger number of subjects are necessary to test the generality of the findings and if changes in dimension are reproducible in given individuals. In conclusion, the fractal dimension determined by Box-counting method may be useful for characterizing LDF time series signals. Future experiments evaluating whether the technique can be used to quantify microvascular dysfunction, as commonly occurring in conditions such as Diabetes, Raynaud's phenomenon, Erythromelalgia and Achenbach syndrome needs to be evaluated.