Rapid diffused optical imaging for accurate 3D estimation of subcutaneous tissue features

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging
• Dermatological Imaging

Background:

• Conventional light imaging is limited to superficial depths (<100 μm) due to significant tissue scattering.
• Imaging subsurface tissue lesions and measuring invasion depth is crucial for dermatological diagnosis and staging, particularly for melanoma.
• Existing commercial imaging devices often lack the capability to assess these deeper structures non-invasively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present and evaluate a novel 3D-multisite diffused optical imaging (3D-mDOI) system.
• To demonstrate the capability of 3D-mDOI for non-invasive, in-vivo depth estimation of subcutaneous tissue lesions.
• To assess the potential of 3D-mDOI for rapid estimation of Breslow depth in melanoma.

Main Methods:

• Combines photon migration techniques from diffuse optical tomography with automated controls and image analysis.
• Utilizes multisite acquisition of re-emitted light diffusion on the sample surface to estimate optical coefficients and subsurface structures.
• Employs customized calibrations with physical tissue phantoms to standardize performance and validate 3D reconstruction capabilities.

Main Results:

• 3D-mDOI successfully reconstructs subcutaneous lesions up to 5 mm below the tissue surface.
• The system is non-invasive, low-cost, fast, and contact-free.
• Computation time for 3D reconstruction is approximately 300 seconds.

Conclusions:

• 3D-mDOI offers a promising non-invasive method for imaging and depth estimation of subsurface tissue lesions in dermatology.
• The technology provides rapid assessment of lesion depth, relevant for melanoma staging and potentially other dermatological conditions.
• Further validation and clinical studies are warranted to establish the full potential of 3D-mDOI in clinical practice.