Characterization of porcine skin using a portable time-domain optical coherence tomography system

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) serves as a valuable imaging tool for visualizing the cross-section of a sample. In this study, we employed a portable version of OCT to determine the epidermal thickness and dermal extinction coefficient to understand the differences in the values obtained at different anatomical sites of the porcine skin. The epidermal thickness and extinction coefficients were found to be between 60 to 95 μm and 1 to 7 mm^-1, respectively. Among the anatomical regions studied, the ear region displayed the thinnest epidermis, whereas the leg region exhibited the thickest epidermis. Concurrently, the computed dermal extinction coefficient values for porcine skin indicated an ascending order as follows: Belly < Buttocks < Cheek < Leg < Ear. These findings hold immense potential as valuable diagnostic aids for both human and animal skin conditions. The versatility and portability of the OCT device used in this experiment further signify its potential for broader applications in various clinical and veterinary settings, enabling efficient and non-invasive assessments of skin health.