Chapter 1
Methods Describing the Interaction
of Laser Radiation with Biological
Tissues
Abstract We consider the structure and optical properties of biological tissues,
blood and thermophysical characteristics of the elements in the skin tissue.
1.1 Introduction
Scattering and absorption of electromagnetic radiation are widely used in various
fields of science and technology to study the structure and properties of heterogeneous environment. Theoretical models, techniques of experimental research and
methods of data interpretation were developed by specialists of various disciplines
(from astrophysics to laser ophthalmology), so there are differences in traditions
and terminology barriers that impede the efficient interaction of different schools
of thought. For example, experts in the field of atmospheric optics and astrophysics
use the ideology of natural radiation transport equation, but for interpretation of
data, small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering - more familiar language - using the
apparatus of the correlation functions and structure factor scattering.
Due to the large variety and structural complexity of the biological environment
the development of adequate models of optical scattering and absorption of light is
often the most difficult part of the study. These models cover almost all the major
sections of optical dispersion media: a simple single-scattering approximation, incoherent multiple scattering, which is described by the transport equation, and the multiple scattering of electromagnetic waves in condensed systems interacting lenses or
irregularities.
Before proceeding to the consideration of principles of mathematical models to
calculate the interaction of laser radiation with biological structures and objects of
different degrees of complexity and organization, consider the structure and optical
properties of biological tissues.
© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
K. Kulikov and T. Koshlan, Laser Interaction with Heterogeneous
Biological Tissue, Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94114-1_1
1
Methods Describing the Interaction
of Laser Radiation with Biological
Tissues
Abstract We consider the structure and optical properties of biological tissues,
blood and thermophysical characteristics of the elements in the skin tissue.
1.1 Introduction
Scattering and absorption of electromagnetic radiation are widely used in various
fields of science and technology to study the structure and properties of heterogeneous environment. Theoretical models, techniques of experimental research and
methods of data interpretation were developed by specialists of various disciplines
(from astrophysics to laser ophthalmology), so there are differences in traditions
and terminology barriers that impede the efficient interaction of different schools
of thought. For example, experts in the field of atmospheric optics and astrophysics
use the ideology of natural radiation transport equation, but for interpretation of
data, small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering - more familiar language - using the
apparatus of the correlation functions and structure factor scattering.
Due to the large variety and structural complexity of the biological environment
the development of adequate models of optical scattering and absorption of light is
often the most difficult part of the study. These models cover almost all the major
sections of optical dispersion media: a simple single-scattering approximation, incoherent multiple scattering, which is described by the transport equation, and the multiple scattering of electromagnetic waves in condensed systems interacting lenses or
irregularities.
Before proceeding to the consideration of principles of mathematical models to
calculate the interaction of laser radiation with biological structures and objects of
different degrees of complexity and organization, consider the structure and optical
properties of biological tissues.
© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
K. Kulikov and T. Koshlan, Laser Interaction with Heterogeneous
Biological Tissue, Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94114-1_1
1