Modulation of an optical needle's reflectivity alters the average photon path through scattering media. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • We introduce the concept of deliberate placement of absorbers to alter the average path of photons through tissue for a biomedical optical device. By changing the reflectivity of a needle that separates a source and detector, the average photon path through a turbid medium can be changed. Totally reflective needles have photon scattering density functions similar to a point source and detector in an infinite medium. An absorbing needle moves the average photon path of photons that reach the detector away from the needle. Thus, by modulating the reflectivity of the needle, it is possible to modify the sensitive volume, and simple tomography data should be possible. These results are confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations and experiment. Experiments include moving a black target relative to an optical "needle" and measuring the resulting intensity and phase lag of light reaching a detector at the distal end of the needle.

publication date

  • January 1, 2006

Research

keywords

  • Biopsy
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Fiber Optic Technology
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Models, Statistical
  • Needles

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 33744480321

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1117/1.2168167

PubMed ID

  • 16526900

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 11

issue

  • 1