Affiliations: Institute of Bioscience and Technology, Cranfield
University at Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4DT, UK | Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of
Precision Instruments & Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University,
Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
Note: [] Corresponding author. Current address: Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, OR 97006, USA. E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Currently, there is an increasing interest in tissue optical
clearing by the use of hyperosmotic agents due to its consequence in increasing
light penetration into tissue. This has shown a great potential in enhancing
the capabilities of non-invasive light-based diagnostic and imaging techniques.
In this study, we introduce the oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fatty acid, as
an enhancer and investigate how its different molarities exert its effect on
optical clearing of skin tissue in vitro. Experimental results from near
infrared spectroscopy and mass loss measurement showed that OA01PG40, i.e.
0.1 M oleic acid in 40% propylene glycol, obtained the best clearing effect.
Meanwhile, it is noticed that the molarity of oleic acid in propylene glycol is
important when used in optical clearing of skin tissue in vitro.
