Development and evaluation of an optical imaging system for cancer detection

Abstract

Fluorescence and reflectance imaging has been presenting as optical technique for cancer diagnosis due to its potential in the biochemical and structural tissue discrimination. Optical techniques are attractive tools through safe and non-invasive procedure with real-time response, and less inter-operator variance. Oral and skin cancers constitute health problems and the early diagnosis is one of the most important factors that influence patient prognosis. In this study, an optical imaging system based on fluorescence and reflectance will be assembled and tested. The system will be designed with LED as illumination source, a high resolution CCD camera, and a computer. Turbid media with different fluorescent, absorbing and scatters elements will be used as optical phantoms for system calibration and evaluation. An animal model for UV-induced skin lesion will be also investigated. The results of this study will be used to set operation parameters for biological tissues analysis, contributing for the future implementation at clinical trials. (AU)