Light source depth estimation in porcine skin using spatially resolved diffuse imaging.

We present an inexpensive imaging system for measuring the diffuse surface radiance profile produced by a light source within a turbid medium. The diffusion model of light propagation in multiple scattering media is used to estimate the optical properties of a sample and subsequently approximate the depth of an optical source. The system is shown to accurately estimate the relative changes in source depth in a homogeneous phantom. The absolute depth estimate may be improved with a better estimate of the optical parameters. Preliminary tests on a porcine skin sample show that the simple model can be used to roughly track the relative changes in the depth of a source in a layered medium. However, a rigorous model of the layered geometry may be required to more accurately localize a source, particularly near interfaces between tissue layers.