Monte Carlo scattering codes are employed in medical physics to study
the diffusion of laser light through human tissue. Applications of these
techniques include 3D simulations of diffuse optical tomography of
neo-natal brains, polarized light scattering spectroscopy, and the
scattered and fluorescent intensities from tissue samples.
The time and depth dependence of the diffusion is also important for
administering correct doses of radiation therapy. The codes may
also be used to study the polarization and scattering properties of cancerous
cells to determine optimal use of non-invasive cancer detection techniques.
Photodynamic Therapy
We have very productive collaborative links with Dr Harry Moseley and members
of the phtobiology department at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. Several PhD
students are using Monte Carlo codes to study the depth penetration of light
in order to optimize protocols for photodynamic therapy for the treatment of
skin cancer. Here is a recent review of our PDT work presented by Louise
Campbell:
Monte Carlo Radiation Transfer in Photodynamic
Therapy
Links
The following are links to other research groups active in optical
tomography and the development of radiation transfer techniques.
Biomedical Optics Research Group at UCL
Oregon Medical Laser Center
The Photon Migration Imaging Lab at the MGH-NMR Center