Frequency-domain optical detection of subsurface blood vessels: experimental and computational studies using a scattering phantom

A simple method to localize blood vessels beneath the surface of tissue could be very useful during laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. However, the detection of blood vessels deep within tissue using light is limited by tissue scattering. In the study, frequency-domain photon migration methods were used to detect blood vessels within a scattering medium. The depth at which blood vessels could be detected was greater than 10 mm. The experimental measurements agree well with predictions obtained from the diffusion approximation to the radiative transport equation. These studies demonstrate the potential of frequency-domain optical methods to detect subsurface blood vessels.