skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Laser speckle contrast imaging of skin blood perfusion responses induced by laser coagulation

Journal Article · · Quantum Electronics (Woodbury, N.Y.)
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. University of Washington, Department of Bioengineering, Seattle, Washington 98195 (United States)

We report application of laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), i.e., a fast imaging technique utilising backscattered light to distinguish such moving objects as red blood cells from such stationary objects as surrounding tissue, to localise skin injury. This imaging technique provides detailed information about the acute perfusion response after a blood vessel is occluded. In this study, a mouse ear model is used and pulsed laser coagulation serves as the method of occlusion. We have found that the downstream blood vessels lacked blood flow due to occlusion at the target site immediately after injury. Relative flow changes in nearby collaterals and anastomotic vessels have been approximated based on differences in intensity in the nearby collaterals and anastomoses. We have also estimated the density of the affected downstream vessels. Laser speckle contrast imaging is shown to be used for highresolution and fast-speed imaging for the skin microvasculature. It also allows direct visualisation of the blood perfusion response to injury, which may provide novel insights to the field of cutaneous wound healing. (laser biophotonics)

OSTI ID:
22395824
Journal Information:
Quantum Electronics (Woodbury, N.Y.), Vol. 44, Issue 8; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-7818
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English