LaserLab Amsterdam, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Sciences Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
J Biophotonics. 2024 Nov;17(11):e202300314. doi: 10.1002/jbio.202300314. Epub 2024 Sep 4.
Accurate characterization of mechanical properties is crucial in the evaluation of therapeutic effects for problematic skin conditions. A pilot study was carried out using a novel optical coherence elastography (OCE) device, combining mechanical characterization through suction-based deformation and imaging through optical coherence tomography. Using AI-assisted image segmentation and a power-law model, we were able to describe the mechanical behavior, comparing with measurements from the most commonly used commercial instrument (Cutometer) and subjective analyses of stiffness using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Twenty subjects were included with either keloids or hypertrophic scars. Measurements were fast and produced no discomfort. Mechanical and structural (epidermal thickness and rugosity) descriptors in pathologic skin conditions differed significantly from those in control tissue. We showed for the first time, the clinical feasibility of this novel suction-based OCE device in evaluating mechanical and structural properties in pathological skin conditions such as scars.
准确描述机械性能对于评估有问题的皮肤状况的治疗效果至关重要。本研究使用一种新型的基于吸力的光学相干弹性成像（OCE）设备进行了一项初步研究，该设备通过光学相干断层扫描实现了机械特性的变形和成像。通过人工智能辅助的图像分割和幂律模型，我们能够描述机械行为，并与最常用的商业仪器（皮肤弹性计）的测量结果以及使用患者和观察者疤痕评估量表进行的硬度的主观分析进行比较。共纳入 20 名患有瘢痕疙瘩或增生性瘢痕的受试者。测量快速且无不适感。病理性皮肤状况的机械和结构（表皮厚度和粗糙度）描述符与正常组织明显不同。我们首次证明了这种新型基于吸力的 OCE 设备在评估病理性皮肤状况（如疤痕）的机械和结构特性方面的临床可行性。
