Determination of the optical properties of the human uterus using frequency-domain photon migration and steady-state techniques

Phys Med Biol. 1994 Aug;39(8):1191-202. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/39/8/001.

Abstract

The optical properties (absorption and transport scattering coefficients) of freshly excised, bulk human uterine tissues were measured at 630 nm using frequency-domain and steady-state photon migration techniques. Measurements were made on both normal (pre- and post-menopausal) and non-neoplastic fibrotic tissues. The absorption coefficient of normal post-menopausal tissue (approximately 0.06 mm(-1)) was found to be significantly greater than that of normal pre-menopausal tissue (0.02-0.03 mm(-1)) and pre-menopausal fibrotic tissue (0.008 mm(-1)). The transport scattering coefficient was similar in all three tissue types considered (0.6-0.9 mm(-1)). From the preliminary results presented here, we conclude that optical properties can be reliably calculated either from the frequency-dependent behaviour of diffusely propagating photon density waves or by combining the frequency-independent photon density wave phase velocity with steady-state light penetration depth measurements. Instrument bandwidth and tissue absorption relaxation time ultimately determine the useful frequency range necessary for frequency-domain photon migration (FDPM) measurements. Based on the optical properties measured in this study, we estimate that non-invasive FDPM measurements of normal uterine tissue require modulation frequencies in excess of 350 MHz.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Leiomyoma / diagnosis*
  • Leiomyoma / physiopathology*
  • Menopause
  • Optics and Photonics
  • Photons
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / methods*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Uterus / physiopathology*