System for Fluorescence Quantification of Thin Tissue Layers Guided by High Frequency Ultrasound

A system is presented which has been developed for dermatological applications with the need to quantify levels of protoporphyrin IX in diagnosis or therapy. The design was to couple fluorescence sampling onto a high frequency ultrasound system and take multiple optical source-detector samples of the tissue of the fluorescence and transmission signals. The intensity values can then be used to estimate and image the PpIX levels present in tissue samples. The system design, calibration, and initial testing in tissue phantoms are demonstrated here. The component design has been modular and allows easy implementation as a kit which can be assembled from basic components. The control software is more elaborate and provides a seamless way to go from system start up through to fluorescence quantification of PpIX concentrations.