Time-Average Holography to Analyze Dynamic Behavior of Skin Tissues Under Different Conditions

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using time-average holography to verify the integrity of skin tissue samples and detect changes in their mechanical response caused by exposure to thermal perturbations, radiations and mechanical loading. For that purpose, chicken skin samples are put into vibration and the corresponding modes are monitored by means of an optical set up based on time average holographic interferometry. Mode shapes of base samples computed by a parametric finite element model are consistent with experimental data. The holographic set up correctly detects the presence of defects previously included in the sample. Dynamic behavior of skin samples under various conditions of low/high temperature and load or exposed, for different periods of time, to UV radiation and microwaves also is successfully monitored. The reliability and robustness of the proposed approach is tested by performing the holographic observations on a large number of samples under different conditions. Potential benefits that may derive from the use of time-average holography in dermatology and plastic surgery (for example, in the quality control of artificial skin tissues to be implanted) are finally discussed.