Cooperative R&D Project: Laser Biomedical Subsurface Imaging

With the experience of the U.S. Navy in photon transmission through turbid media, a cooperative research and development project has been initiated for laser subsurface imaging. This concerns laser expertise, laser institutes, and consultants. The initial technologies considered at present are laser transmission with chromophores, including photodynamic therapy, spectroscopy, biomedical optical phase conjugation, pulsed thermal radiometry of Nelson, digital ultrasound with hopeful laser additive imagery, and MRI with holography and radiowaves. Laser transillumination gave diffuse imagery with no specific details except for PDT with specific chromophores. For optical phase conjugation, a basic diagnostic laboratory has been set up at NOSC (Navy Oceans Service Center) for testing biomedical samples. Studies are continuing by Nelson (J. Stuart) with pulsed thermal radiometry. Spectroscopy has been started for the cardiovascular phase. Imagery of the cardiovascular tissues is to include the endothelium of the superficial fragile vessels of the elderly, and the electrical conducting bundle of the heart below the translucent lining of the heart. Other tissues for the initial studies include cancer of the skin and soft tissues; also for diagnosis and treatment and early changes of the cartilage of joints before x-ray changes are evident.