Comparison between reflectance spectra obtained with an integrating sphere and a fiber optic collection system

Visible reflectance spectra of human skin might serve as a valuable tool for determining blood volume and pigmentation. They can therefore be used to evaluate the response to various skin treatments such as, e.g., port-wine stain therapy. A fiber-optic system is preferable for clinical evaluation of the therapeutic response due to its higher flexibility. Diffuse reflectance spectra obtained using a fiber system are compared with the corresponding spectra from an integrating sphere system. The results show that the most accurate reflectance spectra are obtained using the integrating sphere set-up. The aperture should then be much larger than the optical penetration depth of the skin. The system will then collect all the reflected light from superficial and deeper layers, and this enables a qualitative comparison between the wavelengths. However, the size and localization of many dermal lesions limit its use. In these cases the fiber-optic system is preferable. Light with an optical penetration depth shorter than the distance between the excitation and collecting fibers is, however, favorized. Normal dermis has typically a penetration depth of 600 micrometers and 2000 micrometers for, respectively, green/yellow and red light. Consequently, the collection efficiency of a typical fiber-optic system with a distance of 100 - 200 micrometers between the emitting and collecting fibers, will be higher in the green/yellow than in the red part of the spectrum. It is, however, important to remember that the relevant parameter is the change in reflectance at each particular wavelength, rather than comparison between the wavelengths. When such a comparison is required, the spectra collected by the fiber-optic system can be calibrated. The more accurate integrating sphere system is maybe preferable in a research laboratory environment, whereas the more flexible fiber-optic system is the most applicable for use in the clinic.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.