In vivo burn imaging using Mueller optical coherence tomography

Miloš Todorovic,Lihong V Wang,Shuliang Jiao,David Pereda-Cubián,Jun Ai,George Stoica

doi:10.1364/oe.16.010279

Abstract

We report on the use of a high-speed, fiber-based Mueller-matrix optical coherence tomography system with continuous source-polarization modulation for in vivo burn depth evaluation and healing monitoring. A homemade hand-held probe with integrated optical scanning and beam delivering optics was coupled in the sample arm. In vivo burn imaging was demonstrated on porcine skin at different stages of the wound healing process, where porcine skin was used because of its similarity to the human skin. Thermally damaged region was clearly localized in the depth-resolved phase retardation image extracted from the measured Jones matrix. The burn areas in the OCT images agreed well with the histology. By using a decomposition algorithm developed by our group, we also mapped the local birefringence of the skin. The experimental results demonstrate the system's potential for in vivo burn-depth determination.

Highlights

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) estimates that there are more than 1.1 million burn injuries per year in the United States [1]
We report on the use of a high-speed, fiber-based Mueller-matrix optical coherence tomography system with continuous source-polarization modulation for in vivo burn depth evaluation and healing monitoring
The depth resolution depends on the characteristics of the light source and was measured to be 14 μm in air (10 μm in biological tissue assuming an index of refraction of 1.4)

Summary

Introduction

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) estimates that there are more than 1.1 million burn injuries per year in the United States [1]. 45,000 of these injuries require hospitalization, and roughly 4,500 people die from burn injuries annually. Up to 10,000 people in the United States die every year from burn-related infections. A burn is defined as tissue damage caused by a variety of agents, such as heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, and nuclear radiation. The dermis is spared and often the epidermis, though devitalized, still exists. Superficial partial-thickness burns extend through the epidermis into the papillary layer of the dermis. Deep partial-thickness burns affect the reticular layer of the dermis. Full-thickness burns extend through the epidermis and dermis into the subcutaneous tissue layer [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion