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In vivo cutaneous specroscopy by photoacoustic detection

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Abstract

A photoacoustic spectrometer using an open-ended cell has been developed for thein vivo measurements of cutaneous optical absorption. This detector is very flexible because it uses an ultraviolet silica light guide and double-sided adhesive tape, which ensures satisfactory contact between the cell and the skin. The noise produced by skin vibrations has been considerably reduced by choosing a differential microphone assembled in between two identical cells, only one of which is illuminated. The characteristics of the photoacoustic detector are given in terms of the sensitivity-to-noise ratio. The observed performance enables us to consider various original applications of photoacoustic spectroscopy. The first experimental results were obtained fromin vivo measurements on volunteers: the optical absorption spectra of the skin and topically applied drugs are presented. The advantages and inherent limitations of this type of investigation are demonstrated in this paper, and possible solutions are discussed.

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Poulet, P., Chambron, J.E.J. In vivo cutaneous specroscopy by photoacoustic detection. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 23, 585–588 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02455314

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02455314

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