Terahertz reflectometry of burn wounds in a rat model

Abstract

We present sub-millimeter wave reflectometry of an experimental rat skin burn model obtained by the Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) technique. Full thickness burns, as confirmed by histology, were created on rats (n = 4) euthanized immediately prior to the experiments. Statistical analysis shows that the burned tissue exhibits higher reflectivity compared to normal skin over a frequency range between 0.5 and 0.7 THz (p < 0.05), likely due to post-burn formation of interstitial edema. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a double Debye dielectric relaxation model can be used to explain the terahertz response of both normal and less severely burned rat skin. Finally, our data suggest that the degree of conformation between the experimental burn measurements and the model for normal skin can potentially be used to infer the extent of burn severity.

Terahertz spectroscopy for the assessment of burn injuriesin vivo

“…[31][32][33] We have previously shown that the double Debye model, proposed by Pickwell et al, 19 can be extended to explain the higher terahertz reflectivity of moderate burn samples immediately postinjury. 30 In accordance with the general burn literature, 2 an increase in the water content of the burned tissue, due to formation of interstitial edema, has been experimentally observed using THz spectroscopy. [30][31][32][33] Furthermore, we proposed that the sensitivity of THz waves to the postburn reduction in the number and size of discrete normal skin structures, such as microvasculature, sweat glands, and hair follicles can be used as a source of signal contrast in THz burn imaging.…”

“…30 In accordance with the general burn literature, 2 an increase in the water content of the burned tissue, due to formation of interstitial edema, has been experimentally observed using THz spectroscopy. [30][31][32][33] Furthermore, we proposed that the sensitivity of THz waves to the postburn reduction in the number and size of discrete normal skin structures, such as microvasculature, sweat glands, and hair follicles can be used as a source of signal contrast in THz burn imaging. 30,33 In this paper, we formulate a hypothesis for a burn diagnosis criterion based on in vivo terahertz reflection spectroscopy results obtained from second-and third-degree burns over a 72-hour period after injury.…”

“…21 Pulsed-terahertz emissions have also been used to image and delineate basal cell carcinoma [22][23][24] and human breast cancer tumor margins, 25,26 based on the differences in the water content of the cancerous tumor versus healthy tissue. 27 Terahertz reflectometry and imaging has recently been proposed for the diagnosis of burn injuries ex vivo [28][29][30] and in vivo. [31][32][33] We have previously shown that the double Debye model, proposed by Pickwell et al, 19 can be extended to explain the higher terahertz reflectivity of moderate burn samples immediately postinjury.…”

Quantitative assessment of graded burn wounds in a porcine model using spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) and laser speckle imaging (LSI)

“…Recently, feasibility studies using terahertz (THz) imaging have been carried out with the objective of gauging its potential as a burn severity assessment tool [12]. Reflective THz imaging relies on the dielectric properties of water to reflect the signal of interrogated tissue.…”

Burn Depth Assessment in Thermal Skin Burns: Review

“…Yanık hasarının diagnozu için araştırmacılar tarafından hem ex-vivo hem de in vivo deneysel çalışmalar yapılmaktadır. [59][60][61] Bir çalışmada, eksize doku ör-neklerinin yanmış doku kesitinden suyun uzaklaş-tırılması ile normal deriye kıyasla daha düşük terahertz yansıması oluştuğu bildirilmiştir. 59 Bir diğer çalışmada ise derin dermal ile tam katman yanıklarını ayırt etmek için terahertz spektroskopinin deneysel olarak güvenli olduğu bildirilmiştir.…”