Monte Carlo simulation of optical radiation propagation in skin

• Grant number: 21/08086-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2021
• End date: July 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Luciano Bachmann
• Grantee: Raíssa Mendonça Quaranta Lobão
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Although the optical properties of biological tissues have been widely reported in the literature, we need a better understanding of how light propagates these media, especially considering different types of light sources. Thus, the present work aims to simulate the propagation of optical radiation on the skin using Monte Carlo simulations. We will consider in these simulations the optical properties of the skin, the optical parameters of lasers (660 nm, 830 nm, 904 nm), and beam divergence. With these simulations is possible to evaluate how the optical radiation decrease with the depth, the irradiated area, the optical penetration length, and the fluence profiles produced by lasers with different characteristics. To perform the simulations, the MCX will be used through the Python language and optical properties of the skin already formed in partnership with graduate students from our laboratory. It is expected to observe different optical radiation patterns into the tissue and that how these simulations will contribute to the work of physiotherapists in calculating the fluence delivered through the skin.(AU)