Multi-colour fluorescence imaging in connection with photodynamic therapy of delta-amino levulinic acid (ALA) sensitised skin malignancies

Abstract A system for multi-colour fluorescence imaging of tissue is described. The instrument is mainly developed for tissue diagnostics to identify and localise malignant tumours, but might also be useful for real-time monitoring of the therapeutic dose delivered during photodynamic therapy. In vivo examples from various malignant skin lesions following topical δ-amino levulinic acid (ALA) administration are presented. The diagnostic system utilises both characteristics of a fluorescent tumour marker, such as a porphyrin containing substance, and the native tissue autofluorescence to characterise the tissue. A dimensionless function of three or four simultaneously recorded fluorescence intensities is formed and an optimum-contrast image is calculated pixel-by-pixel

Clinical system for non-invasive in situ monitoring of gases in the human paranasal sinuses

We present a portable system for non-invasive, simultaneous sensing of molecular oxygen (O-2) and water vapor (H2O) in the human paranasal cavities. The system is based on high-resolution tunable diode laser spectroscopy (TDLAS) and digital wavelength modulation spectroscopy (dWMS). Since optical interference and non-ideal tuning of the diode lasers render signal processing complex, we focus on Fourier analysis of dWMS signals and procedures for removal of background signals. Clinical data are presented, and exhibit a significant improvement in signal-to-noise with respect to earlier work. The in situ detection limit, in terms of absorption fraction, is about 5 x 10(-5) for oxygen and 5 x 10(-4) for water vapor, but varies between patients due to differences in light attenuation. In addition, we discuss the use of water vapor as a reference in quantification of in situ oxygen concentration in detail. In particular, light propagation aspects are investigated by employing photon time-of-flight spectroscopy. (C) 2009 Optical Society of Americ

Photodynamic therapy: superficial and interstitial illumination.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is reviewed using the treatment of skin tumors as an example of superficial lesions and prostate cancer as an example of deep-lying lesions requiring interstitial intervention. These two applications are among the most commonly studied in oncological PDT, and illustrate well the different challenges facing the two modalities of PDT-superficial and interstitial. They thus serve as good examples to illustrate the entire field of PDT in oncology. PDT is discussed based on the Lund University group's over 20 yr of experience in the field. In particular, the interplay between optical diagnostics and dosimetry and the delivery of the therapeutic light dose are highlighted. An interactive multiple-fiber interstitial procedure to deliver the required therapeutic dose based on the assessment of light fluence rate and sensitizer concentration and oxygen level throughout the tumor is presented

Studies of tropical fruit ripening using three different spectroscopic techniques.

ABSTRACT. We present a noninvasive method to study fruit ripening. The method is based on the combination of reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopies, as well as gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy (GASMAS). Chlorophyll and oxygen are two of the most important constituents in the fruit ripening process. Reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopies were used to quantify the changes of chlorophyll and other chromophores. GASMAS, based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, was used to measure free molecular oxygen in the fruit tissue at 760 nm, based on the fact that the free gases have much narrower spectral imprints than those of solid materials. The fruit maturation and ripening processes can be followed by studying the changes of chlorophyll and oxygen contents with these three techniques

System for integrated interstitial photodynamic therapy and dosimetric monitoring

Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer relies on the presence of light, sensitizer and oxygen. By monitoring these three parameters during the treatment a better understanding and treatment control could possibly be achieved. Here we present data from in vivo treatments of solid skin tumors using an instrument for interstitial photodynamic therapy with integrated dosimetric monitoring. By using intra-tumoral ALA-administration and interstitial light delivery solid tumors are targeted. The same fibers are used for measuring the fluence rate at the treatment wavelength, the sensitizer fluorescence and the local blood oxygen saturation during the treatment. The data presented is based on 10 treatments in 8 patients with thick basal cell carcinomas. The fluence rate measurements at 635 nm indicate a major treatment induced absorption increase, leading to a limited light penetration at the treatment wavelength. This leads to a far from optimal treatment since the absorption increase prevents peripheral tumor regions from being fully treated. An interactive treatment has been implemented assisting the physician in delivering the correct light dose. The absorption increase can be compensated for by either prolonging the treatment time or increasing the output power of each individual treatment fiber. The other parameters of importance, i.e. the sensitizer fluorescence at 705 nm and the local blood oxygen saturation, are monitored in order to get an estimate of the amount of photobleaching and oxygen consumption. Based on the oxygen saturation signal, a fractionized irradiation can be introduced in order to allow for a re-oxygenation of the tissu

In vivo optical characterization of human prostate tissue using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy.

The development of photodynamic therapy into a modality for treatment of prostate cancer calls for reliable optical dosimetry. We employ, for the first time, interstitial time-resolved spectroscopy to determine in vivo optical properties of human prostate tissue. Nine patients are included in the study, and measurements are conducted prior to primary brachytherapy treatment of prostate cancer. Intrasubject variability is examined by measuring across three tissue volumes within each prostate. The time-resolved instrumentation proves its usefulness by producing good signal levels in all measurements. We are able to present consistent values on reduced scattering coefficients (mu(s)'), absorption coefficients (mu(a)), and effective attenuation (mu(eff)) at the wavelengths 660, 786, and 916 nm. At 660 nm, mu(s)' is found to be 9 +/- 2 cm(-1), and mu(a) is 0.5 +/- 0.1 cm-1. Derived values of mu(eff) are in the range of 3 to 4 cm-1 at 660 nm, a result in good agreement with previously published steady state data. Total hemoglobin concentration (THC) and oxygen saturation are spectroscopically determined using derived absorption coefficients. Derived THC values are fairly variable (215 +/- 65 mu M), while derived values of oxygen saturation are gathered around 75% (76 +/- 4%). Intrasubject variations in derived parameters correlate (qualitatively) with the heterogeneity exhibited in acquired ultrasound images