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Title: Visualisation of human subcutaneous blood vessels by increasing coherence probing depth

Abstract

An improved Fourier-domain rapid-scanning optical delay in the reference arm of a Michelson interferometer is described which allows the use of a low-power superluminescent diode (down to 0.2 mW) and of a few wavelengths simultaneously. The method of raster scanning and averaging in the sample arm of the interferometer within a pixel provides an additional increase in the signal-to-noise ratio by 4-10 dB and, in combination with optical clearing, an increase in the coherence probing depth for the human skin in vivo up to 1.5-1.6 mm. As a result, subcutaneous blood vessels are visualised for the first time and a signal from the bloodstream is detected in the transitional regime between reflected and diffusively scattered photons. The images of subcutaneous blood vessels of the human palm and finger in vivo are presented. The possibility of construction of a low-coherence Doppler spectrograph with a variable coherence length is discussed. (laser applications and other topics in quantum electronics)

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. Cranfield Health, Cranfield University, Silsoe (United Kingdom)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
21470654
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Quantum Electronics (Woodbury, N.Y.)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 34; Journal Issue: 12; Other Information: DOI: 10.1070/QE2004v034n12ABEH002800; Journal ID: ISSN 1063-7818
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; BLOOD VESSELS; COHERENCE LENGTH; FINGERS; IMAGES; IN VIVO; MICHELSON INTERFEROMETER; PHOTONS; SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO; SKIN; WAVELENGTHS; ARMS; BODY; BOSONS; CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM; DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS; DIMENSIONS; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; HANDS; INTERFEROMETERS; LENGTH; LIMBS; MASSLESS PARTICLES; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; ORGANS

Citation Formats

Proskurin, S G, and Wang, R K. Visualisation of human subcutaneous blood vessels by increasing coherence probing depth. United States: N. p., 2004. Web. doi:10.1070/QE2004V034N12ABEH002800.
Proskurin, S G, & Wang, R K. Visualisation of human subcutaneous blood vessels by increasing coherence probing depth. United States. https://doi.org/10.1070/QE2004V034N12ABEH002800
Proskurin, S G, and Wang, R K. 2004. "Visualisation of human subcutaneous blood vessels by increasing coherence probing depth". United States. https://doi.org/10.1070/QE2004V034N12ABEH002800.
@article{osti_21470654,
title = {Visualisation of human subcutaneous blood vessels by increasing coherence probing depth},
author = {Proskurin, S G and Wang, R K},
abstractNote = {An improved Fourier-domain rapid-scanning optical delay in the reference arm of a Michelson interferometer is described which allows the use of a low-power superluminescent diode (down to 0.2 mW) and of a few wavelengths simultaneously. The method of raster scanning and averaging in the sample arm of the interferometer within a pixel provides an additional increase in the signal-to-noise ratio by 4-10 dB and, in combination with optical clearing, an increase in the coherence probing depth for the human skin in vivo up to 1.5-1.6 mm. As a result, subcutaneous blood vessels are visualised for the first time and a signal from the bloodstream is detected in the transitional regime between reflected and diffusively scattered photons. The images of subcutaneous blood vessels of the human palm and finger in vivo are presented. The possibility of construction of a low-coherence Doppler spectrograph with a variable coherence length is discussed. (laser applications and other topics in quantum electronics)},
doi = {10.1070/QE2004V034N12ABEH002800},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/21470654}, journal = {Quantum Electronics (Woodbury, N.Y.)},
issn = {1063-7818},
number = 12,
volume = 34,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 2004},
month = {Fri Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 2004}
}