Lasers & photonics


Spectroscopy for skin analysis and characterisation


Spectroscopy is a very well-known set of techniques used in very different medical and healthcare applications. In particular, Raman spectroscopy is the perfect technique for in vivo measurements because it is non-destructive and does not require sample preparation, reagents, dyes, labels or other contrast enhancing agents. The technology is based on the scattering of light by molecules, where the sample under investigation is illuminated with low power laser light and part of the energy from the incoming light is transferred to a molecule, exciting one of its vibrational modes. Because every molecule of a cell or


tissue contributes to the overall Raman spectrum, the data obtained is a direct representation of the overall molecular composition and can be used as a highly specific fingerprint of the specimen under analysis. A good example is the gen2-SCA confocal Raman system that is made for in vivo skin analysis and developed by RiverD. It can be used to determine molecular concentration profiles from the skin’s surface into the dermis with high spatial resolution; to measure the distribution of intrinsic skin constituents – amino acids, sweat constituents, lipids, proteins and water, to name a few; to perform non- invasive quantitative analysis of dynamic processes such as skin penetration and permeation of topical formulations; or see the difference between volar forearm skin, cheek, forehead, scalp, axilla and other areas.


Advanced infrared spectroscopy


Infrared spectroscopy is another widely used technology due to the possibility of identifying free-living organisms, analysing the composition of biological fluids and tissues or understanding in vivo processes. Traditional infrared spectroscopy is now being enhanced by quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). Their increased power allows the penetration of thicker samples and their stability, spectral range and tunability make them a great tool to integrate in different clinical settings and medical devices. The company Alpes Lasers have been working in different applications for their QCLs, including mid-infrared imaging of thin tissue sections and pathogen detection. Another very interesting application of the Alpes Lasers sources are the non-invasive detection of glucose, in skin (back scattered radiation), in human epidermis (photo-acoustic detection) and in skin (photothermal deflection technique).


Diagnosis of skin cancer The incidence of skin cancers has increased over the past decades, which has by necessity led to growing interest in the development of new diagnostic techniques. A typical dermatologic diagnosis relies primarily on the expertise of the dermatologist, followed by the histologic examination of a skin biopsy. As this is quite a slow


MMI052_Coherent.indd 5 58 16/02/2023 12:55 Medical Device Developments / www.nsmedicaldevices.com


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