title: Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared and polarization spectroscopy of in vivo human skin ablated, layer by layer, by erbium:YAG laser.
abstract: The results of an experimental study of the possibilities of monitoring erbium yttrium aluminum garnet laser-mediated ablation of human epidermis with the use of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and spectral polarization techniques are presented. The attenuated total reflection (ATR) method was used for FTIR spectroscopic measurements. Spectral polarization monitoring of the ablation was carried out by analyzing the spectra of the degree of residual linear polarization of a probe light diffusely reflected from the laser-treated region of skin. It was found that the analysis of FTIR spectra allows monitoring of the water and protein contents in the subsurface layers of the treated skin, while the degree of residual polarization measured at the wavelengths of maximal absorption of hemoglobin is sensitive to changes in the epidermis thickness and the blood content in the dermal layer (the degree of erythema).
authors.affiliation: Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Laser and Information Technologies, 2 Pionerskaya Street, Troitsk, Moscow Region 142190, Russia.
authors.forename: Alexander P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Sviridov
authors.forename: Dmitry A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Zimnyakov
authors.forename: Yury P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Sinichkin
authors.forename: Leonid N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Butvina
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Omelchenko
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Shakh
authors.forename: Victor N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Bagratashvili
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome