Dynamic contact-free continuous-wave diffuse optical tomography system for the detection of vascular dynamics within the foot

We present a dynamic contact-free continuous-wave diffuse optical tomography system for the detection and monitoring of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the foot. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is the narrowing of the functional area of the artery generally due to atherosclerosis. It affects between 8-12 million people in the United States and if untreated this can lead to ulceration, gangrene and ultimately amputation. Contact-Free imaging is highly desirable, due to the presence of ulcerations and gangrene in many patients affected by PAD. The system uses an electron multiplying charge coupled device (EMCCD) camera for detection to achieve a dynamic range of 86 dB with a frame rate of 1 Hz using 20 collimated source fibers and 2 wavelengths. We present first clinical results showing 3D images of total hemoglobin changes in response to a dynamic thigh cuff.