Measurement of tissue optical properties and modeling of optimal light delivery for tumor treatment

Oblique-incidence reflectometry was used to measure the optical properties of rat tumors with injected absorption- enhancement dye. The measured optical properties were used to model light delivery into the tissues for optimal therapeutic effects. The goal was to efficiently deliver the maximum amount of optical power into buried tumors being treated while avoiding potential damage to normal tissue caused by strong optical power deposition underneath the tissue surface illuminated by the laser beam. The distribution of power deposition was simulated for single beam delivery and multiple beam delivery as well. The simulated results showed that with an appropriate dye enhancement and an optimal laser delivery configuration, a high selectivity for laser treatment of tumors could be achieved.