Efficient determination of the epidermal optical properties using a diffusion model-based approach: Monte Carlo studies

In our previous studies, we have shown that the diffusing probe geometry can be used in conjunction with a two-layer diffusion model to accurately recover the absorption and scattering properties of skin in vivo. By modifying the original design to the diffusing probe with planar source (DPPS) geometry, we have also demonstrated that the efficiency of the accompanying multilayer diffusion model is comparable to that of a standard semi-infinite diffusion model; thus, precise quantification of superficial tissue optical properties in real time using a diffusion model becomes possible. In this study, the performance of the DPPS diffusion model is evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations and phantom measurements. It is found that the DPPS geometry is advantageous over the conventional planar source illumination geometry in interrogating superficial volumes of samples. In addition, our simulation results have shown that the DPPS geometry is capable of accurately recovering the optical properties of 50-μm thick epidermis and could be very useful in detecting cutaneous melanoma that has a radius as small as 250 μm.