Doppler Monte Carlo simulations of light scattering in tissue to support laser-Doppler perfusion measurements.

Doppler Monte Carlo (DMC) simulations of the transport of light through turbid media, e.g., tissue, can be used to predict or to interpret measurements of the blood perfusion of tissue by laser-Doppler perfusion flowmetry. We describe the physical and mathematical background of Doppler Monte Carlo calculations, and present some comparisons with measurements, performed with experimental flow models, built to mimic skin tissue characteristics and for the calibration of perfusion instruments,which are important goals of the Biomed-I concerted action. The measurements deal with coherence effects.