title: Light source depth estimation in porcine skin using spatially resolved diffuse imaging.
abstract: We present an inexpensive imaging system for measuring the diffuse surface radiance profile produced by a light source within a turbid medium. The diffusion model of light propagation in multiple scattering media is used to estimate the optical properties of a sample and subsequently approximate the depth of an optical source. The system is shown to accurately estimate the relative changes in source depth in a homogeneous phantom. The absolute depth estimate may be improved with a better estimate of the optical parameters. Preliminary tests on a porcine skin sample show that the simple model can be used to roughly track the relative changes in the depth of a source in a layered medium. However, a rigorous model of the layered geometry may be required to more accurately localize a source, particularly near interfaces between tissue layers.
authors.forename: Kieran A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Bryan P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Ruddy
authors.forename: Poul M F
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Taberner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004058:Diffusion; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009929:Organ Size; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013552:Swine