Method for Improving the Lateral Resolution of Near-Infrared (NIR) Single Optods: Application to Subcutaneous Vein Detection and Localization

Yasser S. Fawzy

Inovia Technologies Ltd., Vancouver, Canada.

DOI: 10.4236/opj.2012.24044                

Abstract

NIR backscattering measurements using single source-detector optical probe (optods) can detect absorption areas within deep tissue layer. However, such optods, are characterized by large separation distance between the source and detectors (>2 cm) and poor lateral resolution (>1 cm), which limits its usage for the localization of small absorption volumes embedded deep within the tissue such as subcutaneous veins. In this work a method to improve the accuracy of locating such absorption volumes (areas) using backscattered NIR measurements is suggested and investigated with the aim of developing an optical sensor for detecting and localizing large subcutaneous veins. The method is based on measuring the differential signal from three overlapping source-detector pairs arranged within the probe such that the total photon sensitivity profile of the probe is maximized along a narrow width area (within the central of the probe) and minimized along its sides. The location of the absorption areas is then determined when a peak maximum of the measured signal is detected. Monte Carlo simulation and light transport modeling was used to determine the optimum arrangement of each source-detector pair within the probe to create the required spatial sensitivity profile and demonstrate the validity of the method. The results showed that the differential optode has more than two times improvement in the lateral resolution compared to the standard optode. The result also showed that the differential probe can locate subcutaneous veins with diameter ~5 mm and embedded at ~1.5 cm depth. The method could have a potential for designing and developing an optical backscattering sensors for detecting and localizing large subcutaneous veins embedded <2 cm depths

Keywords

Reflectance Measurements; Photon Migration; Optical Diagnosis; Fiber Probe Design

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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