The goal of this study was to investigate how nano-channels created by laser irradiation can affect the diffusion properties of cartilage. Nano-channels were created using a 400 µm fiber optic and a 1550 nm laser. Optical polarization images confirmed the creation of nano-channels. Samples were placed in a homemade diffusion chamber, containing CuSO4 solution and distilled water in the donor and recipient chambers, respectively. T1 weighted MR images were taken over several time points and processed to analyze the rate of diffusion through each sample. Peak diffusion occurred at 24 hours for treated samples and 48 hours for native samples. At 24-hours, diffusion rate was approximately 50% higher in treated samples. At 72-hours, diffusion rate was 9% higher in treated samples. Our results highlight that laser treatment could improve treatment of diseases and injuries of cartilage. Optical confocal imaging is underway to investigate the microscopic morphology of the treated samples.
Strong light scattering in skin prevents precise targeting of optical energy in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Optical immersion based on matching refractive mdcx of scattering centers with that of surrounding matter through introduction of an exogenous index-matching agent can alleviate the problem. However, slow diffusion of the index-matching agent through skin barrier makes practical implementation of this approach difficult. We propose a method of accelerating penetration of the index-matching compounds by enhancing skin permeability through creating a lattice of micro-zones (islets) of limited thermal damage in the stratum comeum. Two index-matching agents, glucose and glycerol, were tested. Glycerol used as index-matching agent gave noticeably better clearance then 40% glucose solution.
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