Effects of dehydration on the optical properties of in vitro porcine liver.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

It is of crucial importance to determine the effects of dehydration on the optical properties of tissue so that optimization of therapy and device for laser applications in medicine can be made.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: After being incubated directly or indirectly in an oven of 37 degrees C for different periods of time, the porcine liver samples were weighed with an electronic scale and their optical properties were measured by a double integrating sphere system.

RESULTS

When samples were incubated directly for 20 hours, the average weight loss was 68.5% +/- 1.2%, and the absorption coefficient and scattering coefficient increased 146.1% +/- 26.9% and 10.8% +/- 1.1%, respectively. In comparison, there was only 21.5% +/- 1.0% of water loss for the control samples, and the absorption coefficient increased 30.7% +/- 7.6%, while the reduced scattering coefficient increased 386.5% +/- 29.7%. The effective attenuation coefficients increased 111% and 103% for dehydration group and control group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The absorption coefficient and effective attenuation coefficient increase with dehydration level of tissue. However, there is no direct correlation between dehydration and reduced scattering coefficient.