Biomechanical properties of in vivo human skin from dynamic optical coherence elastography

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2010 Apr;57(4):953-9. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2009.2033464. Epub 2009 Oct 9.

Abstract

Dynamic optical coherence elastography is used to determine in vivo skin biomechanical properties based on mechanical surface wave propagation. Quantitative Young's moduli are measured on human skin from different sites, orientations, and frequencies. Skin thicknesses, including measurements from different layers, are also measured simultaneously. Experimental results show significant differences among measurements from different skin sites, between directions parallel and orthogonal to Langer's lines, and under different skin hydration states. Results also suggest surface waves with different driving frequencies represent skin biomechanical properties from different layers in depth. With features such as micrometer-scale resolution, noninvasive imaging, and real-time processing from the optical coherence tomography technology, this optical measurement technique has great potential for measuring skin biomechanical properties in dermatology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Arm
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Poisson Distribution
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena*
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods*