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Terahertz imaging of human skin pathologies using laser feedback interferometry with quantum cascade lasers
Xiaoqiong Qi1, Karl Bertling1, Mitchell S Stark2
1School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
Biomedical Optics Express
|April 20, 2023
Summary
Terahertz (THz) imaging using a quantum cascade laser offers a novel method for early skin cancer detection. This technology successfully differentiates between benign and malignant skin pathologies in dehydrated samples, even without visible changes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging Technology
- Dermatopathology
Background:
- Current clinical tools face challenges in early skin pathology detection, especially when visual cues are absent.
- Need for advanced imaging techniques to identify subtle changes in skin tissue composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a terahertz (THz) imaging technology for detecting human skin pathologies.
- To assess the correlation between THz imaging and traditional histopathology for skin cancer diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a narrow-band quantum cascade laser (QCL) operating at 2.8 THz for imaging.
- Examined unstained human skin samples (benign naevus, dysplastic naevus, melanoma) at 50 µm thickness.
- Compared THz amplitude-phase maps with traditional histopathologic stained images.
Main Results:
- Determined a minimum dehydrated skin thickness of 50 µm for THz contrast.
- THz images showed strong correlation with histological findings for different skin sample types.
- Successfully differentiated between healthy and pathological skin regions using THz amplitude-phase maps.
Conclusions:
- Terahertz imaging demonstrates potential as a feasible, non-invasive modality for skin cancer detection.
- This technology can identify pathologies beyond visible diagnostic capabilities.
- Further analysis of THz contrast mechanisms in dehydrated skin samples is warranted.
