Noninvasive light-reflection technique for measuring soft-tissue stretch

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-20-1999

Abstract

A novel, to our knowledge, sensor for measuring the stretch in soft tissues such as skin is described. The technique, which is a modification of two-dimensional polarization imaging, uses changes in the reflectivity of polarized light as a monitor of skin stretch. Measurements show that the reflectivity increases with stretch. Measurements were made on guinea pig skin and on nonbiological materials. The changes in reflectivity result from the changes that take place in the interface roughness between skin or material layers and the consequential changes in the diffuse reflective characteristics of the skin. Conceptually, as the roughness of an interface decreases, a smoother reflecting interface is produced, resulting in a commensurate increase in specular reflection. A simple roughness model correctly predicts the main experimental results. Results can be extended easily to real-time stretch analysis of large tissue areas that would be applicable for predicting stresses in skin during and after the surgical closure of wounds. © 1999 Optical Society of America.

Identifier

0013062370 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Applied Optics

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.38.006653

e-ISSN

21553165

ISSN

1559128X

First Page

6653

Last Page

6660

Issue

31

Volume

38

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